A

SEMINAR REPORT

ON

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Submitted By: Guided By:

- Dhruv Patel Dr. Ankur Dwivedi
-15BCH033 Prof. Nirma University

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NIRMA UNIVERSITY
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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Mr. PATEL DHRUV (15BCH033), student of Chemical

Engineering, 4thsemester, of Nirma University, has satisfactorily completed the
seminar on GREENHOUSE EFFECT as a partial fulfilment towards the degree of
B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering.

Date:
Place: Ahmedabad

Dr. Ankur Dwivedi Dr. Jayesh Ruparelia

Professor Head of Department

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 CONTENT

Page No.
Acknowledgement 4
Abstract 4
List of Figure 5,7,8
List of Tables 10,11

Chapter Page
No. No.
1 Introduction 5-6
1.1 History 5
2 Greenhouse Gases 6-11
2.1 Global Warming Potential 6
2.2 Types of Greenhouse gases 7
2.2.1 Carbon Dioxide 7
2.2.2 Methane 8
2.2.3 Nitrous Oxide 8
2.2.4 Helogenated Organic compounds 9
2.2.5 Sulphur hexafluoride 9
2.2.6 Ozone 9
3 Effects 11-12
3.1 The Weather 11
3.2 Sea Levels 11
3.3 Farming 12
3.4 Plants and Animals 12
3.5 People 12
4 Ways To Reduce Greenhouse Gases 12-14
4.1 Industrial ways 12
4.2 Domestic ways 13-14

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I Would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my guide (Dr. Ankur Dwivedi) as well
as our HOD (Dr. Jayesh Ruparelia) who gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful
seminar on topic GREENHOUSE EFFECT, which also helped me to know that how to
communicate with professors and how to discuss with them and then by discussion how to
research to next level for topic and I also came to know about so many new things about
greenhouse effect. I am really thankful to them.

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 ABSTRACT
The Greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is responsible for
trapping of heat near the earths surface and keeping the planet warm. If there is no atmosphere
on the earth then its average surface temperature would be very low of about -18C rather than
the comfortable 25C. The difference in this temperature difference is due to present of some
gases in atmosphere called as greenhouse gases which affect the overall energy balance of the
earths system by absorbing infra-red radiation. The major greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide.
Others are methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs, sulphur hexafluoride and ozone. Due to this effect
there are many problems like sea level is increasing day by day and crops, plants, animals,
people, etc. are also affected. Then we can also discuss the ways for reducing the production of
greenhouse gases. Here, we can discuss in two ways, industrial ways and domestic ways. In
industrial methods there are certain ways to reduce greehouse gases like Measuring carbon
footprint, CCS, Use of E85, Carbon capping, etc., while in domestic methods we can consider
reduce, reuse, recycle, use of LED lights, etc.

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 CHAPTER:-1 INTRODUCTION

Weather and climate have a profound impact on living organisms on planet. By analysing
past 10 to 20 years we can say that human activities may cause significant changes in future
global climate. So now Global warming is very big issue to know to hundreds millions of
people across the world. There is one fact that the distance between the earth and the sun is same
as the distance between the sun and the moon, but that is interesting to note that the average
surface temperature of earth is 15C while that of the moon is -18C. This is happening because
of some blanketing action of the earths atmosphere, which traps the outgoing radiation. This
effect is known as greenhouse effect. There are certain questions come in our mind while
analysing global warming: Is global climate changing?, To what degree are human activities
responsible for it?, What will future climate be like?, what should we do? etc [1].

In the 19th century, scientists realized that gases in atmosphere causes a Greenhouse
effect which affects the planets temperature. The greenhouse effect is a natural process which
plays important role in our surrounding temperature [2].Generally we can understand the term
greenhouse effect in two ways: one is natural greenhouse effect that keeps the Earths surface
warmer. Another is the man-made greenhouse effect which is because of adding some
greenhouse gases by burning of fossil fuels [3].When solar radiation enters in Earths atmosphere
some(31%) of this is reflected back by clouds and Earth surface into space. Major part (49%) of
incoming radiation is absorbed by the land and oceans, where it is converted into heat, warming
the Earth surface and air above it. While the rest part (20%) is trapped by some (greenhouse)
gases like CO2, NOX, CFCs etc. in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain
life. Some human activities like fossil fuel, agriculture and land cleaning are increasing the
amount of greenhouse gases released into atmosphere. This is trapping extra heat and causing the
Earths temperature to rise. This is calledas greenhouse effect [4].

In reality the average temperature of Earth surface is 288K; without greenhouse effect it
would be 254K. So, the 34K difference is due to trapping of infr a-red radiation in atmosphere
by greenhouse gases. So, we can think that without the Natural greenhouse effect or greenhouse
gases the planet would be permanently frozen and there is no life on Earth surface [1].

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 Figure 1.1 An idealised model of the natural greenhouse effect [5]

1.1 History
In 1827, Jean Baptise-Joseph de Fourier gave some scientific understanding of
Greenhouse Effect. He suggested that the atmosphere behaves like a mirror by allowing short
wavelength radiation from the Sun to reach and warm the Earth's surface and retaining the longer
wavelength radiation from the Earths surface; which would cool the Earth [6].However, for
historical reasons, the terms greenhouse effect' and greenhouse gases' are still used when
describing radiative trapping of heat in atmosphere. In 1859 John Tyndall measured Infrared
trapping ability of water vapour , carbon dioxide and methane suggest that ice ages were caused
by variations of atmospheric level of this gases. In 1896 Svante Arrhenius' noted that there was
large amounts of carbon dioxide was released by burning fossil fuel and he also estimated that if
we doubled the concentration of atmospheric CO2than it would warm the Earth by 5-6C.In 1957
Roger Revelle' and Hans Suess' had done a large scale of geophysical experiment whose
consequence were unknown and noticed that the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
constituted. So after 1958 Charles keeling start on-going programme of continues measurement
of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels at Mauna Loa, Hawaii. After that he have showed that level
of carbon dioxide were rising from 315 ppm (parts per million) in 1958 to 370 ppm in 2001 [1].

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 CHAPTER:-2 GREENHOUSE GASES
Three most powerful lived greenhouse gases in atmosphere are carbon dioxide, methane
and nitrous oxide. Water vapour and ozone in upper and lower atmosphere are also important
greenhouse gases. Increase in atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases will act to further
hinder the escape of terrestrial in radiation and hence warm the Earth's surface. Certain industrial
gases SF6 and CFCs (halogenated organic compounds) are powerful absorbers of heat in
atmospheric region. So they are also greenhouse gases.SF6 is 22000 times more powerful
greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide [1].

2.1 Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Different greenhouse gases exert different effect on Earths climate. Some gases are
better absorber of the solar radiation than others, and therefore have a greater overall impact on
the greenhouse gases. So to measure the strength or ability of various greenhouse gases on global
warming, the concept of Global Warming Potential (GWP) was introduced by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 1990 report. GWP of individual
greenhouse gas gives the relative strength of its impact on global warming. It was defined as
cumulative radiative forcing between the present and some future time caused by a unit mass of
greenhouse emitted now,it was expressed relative to CO2. Gases with higher GWP absorb more
energy, per pound than lower GWP and thus contribute more to warming Earth [7]. The GWPs
of different greenhouse gases are given in Table 2.3

2.2 Types of Greenhouse Gases

The most three powerful long lived gases in atmosphere are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide
and methane. In addition there are also some gases like ozone, sulphur hexafluoride,
chlorofluorocarbons, etc., are act as greenhouse gases in atmosphere.

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 GAS
60

50

40

30
57

20

25
10
12
6
0
CO2 CFC CH4 NOx

GAS

CONTRIBUTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES IN GLOBAL WARMING (%) [9]

2.2.1 Carbon Dioxide

We can discuss the sources of CO2 in two ways:

Emission of CO2 associated with human activities like respiration, vehicles smoke,
burning fossil fuel.
There are several large reservoirs of CO2 (atmosphere, deep/upper ocean) which are
continuously exchanging carbon dioxide [1].

Carbon dioxide is continuously cycling among the Earth, plants, animals, the atmosphere
and the oceans surface [8].The CO2 flux is measured in Gtc (Giga tonnes of carbon) unit. Mass
of CO2 corresponding to 1 Gtc is actually 3.7 (44/12) Gt. The atmospheric lifetime of CO2 is
around 100 years. The current atmospheric CO2 concentration is 370 ppm and increasing with
average rate of 1.5 ppm per year [1].

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 COUNTRIES
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
3700 COUNTRIES
1500
1000 2257
1466
500 964 814
0
USA BRAZIL CHINA INDIA JAPAN

EMMISION OF CO2BY FEW COUNTRIES [9]

2.2.2 Methane
Increase in methane concentration will lead to production of more tropospheric ozone
which is important greenhouse gas. Increase in methane will also results in decrease the
concentration of OH and hence longer lifetime for any gas whose concentration is affected by
presence of OH in atmosphere. Methane is emitted into atmosphere by a large numbers of natural
and anthropogenic sources. Natural sources are estimated to contribute approximately 160
Tg(CH4)/yr (1Tg=1012 g=10-3Gt) which is 30% of total. Methane is removed through reaction
with OH radical in troposphere and stratosphere with rates to be 445 and 40 Tg(CH4)/yr [1].

2.2.3 Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide is long lived (130 years) greenhouse gas, whose concentration in lower
atmosphere is currently 313 ppb and increasing at a rate of 0.5-0.9 ppb/yr.N2O is transported
from the troposphere to a stratosphere where it reacts with O atoms and forms NOx. Natural
source of nitrous oxide associated with emission from soil and ocean. Anthropogenic emissions
of nitrous oxide are associated with biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion, industrial
production of adipic and nitride acids and the use of nitrogen fertilizer [1].

2.2.4 Halogenated Organic Compounds

These compounds are organic compounds which contain one or more halogen atoms.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and per fluorocarbon (PFCs) are two major subsets of halogenated
organic compounds. CFC-12 and CFC-11 are two major CFCs in atmosphere and are present at
levels of 0.5 and 0.25 ppb, respectively.CF4 is the most major PFCs and is found at a
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concentration of 0.08 ppb in atmosphere. The effectiveness of these compounds as greenhouse
gases depends on two factors: (1) Number of carbon-halogen bonds in the molecule. (2) The
atmospheric lifetime of the molecule [1].

2.2.5Sulphur Hexafluoride
Its potency stems from its intense absorption at 10.3 micron in atmospheric window
region and it has extremely long atmospheric lifetime of 3200 years.SF6 is present in small
amounts in fluorites and degassing from this mineral, provides a small natural source which
results in a natural background concentration of 0.01 ppt. SF6is used as insulating gas in
electrical switching elements. By human activities, SF6 in atmosphere is 400 times more than
natural emission and increasing with rate of 0.2 ppt/year [1].

2.2.6 Ozone
In contrast to other greenhouse gases, ozone is not emitted into atmosphere. Ozone is
formed in atmosphere by two processes:

Photolysis of oxygen molecule (O2) which give oxygen atom (O) which than
adds to O2 to give ozone (O3).
Oxidation of organic compounds in presence of nitrogen oxides.

The second process occurs throughout the atmosphere but because of greater availability
of organic compounds and NOx near the Earths surface so it is much more important in
troposphere. The atmospheric lifetime of ozone is short and hence its concentration responds
quickly to changes in atmospheric conditions [1].

Table 2.1 Concentration Change [6]

Greenhouse gases Pre 1850-1980 Pre 1850-1994
CO2 (ppm) 275-339 278-358
CH4 (ppm) 0.7-1.7 0.7-1.72
N2O (ppm) 0.285-0.3 0.275-0.31
CFC 11 (ppb) 0-0.18 0-0.268
CFC 12 (ppb) 0-0.28 0-0.503
Ozone 12.5% change from 0 to 12 km About 50%

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 Table 2.2 Characteristics of some major Greenhouse gases [7]

Greenhouse gas Sources Sinks Importance for climate

Carbon Dioxide 1) Burning of fossil fuel 1) Ocean Uptake Absorbs infrared radiation;
(CO2) 2) Deforestation 2)Plants photosynthesis affects stratospheric O3

Methane 1) Biomass burning 1) Reactions with OH Absorbs infrared radiation;

(CH4) 2) Enteric fermentation 2) Micro-organisms uptake tropospheric O3 and OH;
3)Rice paddies by soils affects stratospheric O3 and
H2O; produce CO2
Nitrous Oxide 1) Biomass burning 1) Removal by soils Absorbs infrared radiation;
(N2O) 2) fossil fuel combustion 2) Stratospheric photolysis affects stratospheric O3
3) Fertilizers and reaction with O
Chlorofluorocarbons 1) Industrial production Insignificant in Absorbs infrared radiation;
(CFCs) 2) Air conditioner troposphere, dissociated in affects stratospheric O3
stratosphere (photolysis
and reaction with O)
Ozone Photochemical reaction Catalytic chemical Absorbs ultraviolet and
(O Involving O2 reactions involving NOx, infrared radiation
3) CLOx and HOx species.

Table 2.3 GWPs of some Greenhouse gases (relative to 1Kg of CO2) [7]
Estimated Global Warming Potential
Lifetime
Greenhouse gas
20 years 100 years 500 years
(years)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 100 1 1 1

Methane (CH4) 12.0 62 23 7

Nitrous Oxide (N20) 114 275 296 156
Chlorofluorocarbons - - - -
(CFCs)
i) CFCl3 (CFC-11) 45 6300 4600 1600
ii) CF2Cl2(CFC-12) 100 10200 10600 5200
iii) CClF3(CFC-13) 640 10000 14000 16300
iv) C2F3Cl3(CFC-113) 85 6100 6000 2700
v) C2F4Cl2(CFC-114) 300 300 7500 9800
vi) C2F5Cl(CFC-115) 1700 4900 7200 9900

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 CHAPTER 3:- EFFECTS
If concentration of greenhouse gases became high than more heat will trapped on Earth,
so the planet will became warmer. A large rise in temperature could be disastrous for us and for
any other creature on Earth [11]. These are some assumptions:

3.1 The Weather

The effect will vary in different parts of the world: some places will become drier and
other become wetter. Although most areas will be warmer, some will become cooler. These
weather changes affect the kind of crops that can be grown. Plants, animals and even people may
find it difficult to survive in different conditions.

3.2 Sea levels

Higher temperature will make of the seas and oceans expand. Due to global warming ice
melts in the Antarctic and Greenland, so it will flow into the sea. So sea level rises. Higher sea
levels will threaten the low-lying coastal areas of the world, such as the Netherlands and
Bangladesh. So in these areas millions of people and areas of land will be danger from flooding.

3.3 Farming
Changes in temperature will affect the amount of rainfall. So indirectly that will affect the
crops. Due to the effect of change in weather on plant growth, sometime it may be create food
problems. So it may lead to some countries not having enough food like Brazil, south-east Asia
and China etc.

3.4 Plants &Animals

As temperature changes, the plants and the homes of animals will be affected. For
example, polar bears and seals will have to find new home (land) for hunting and living if ice is
melted in the Arctic.

3.5People
The changes in climate will affect everyone, but some populations will be at greater risk.
For example, countries whose coastal regions have large populations may see whole populations
will have to move in other land to avoid flood risk areas.

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Also these changes may lead to increased risks of:

Water-borne disease
Malnutrition
Coastal flooding
Huge population displacement

CHAPTER 4:-WAYS TOREDUCE GREEENHOSUSE GASES

4.1 Industrial ways

Measuring Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint means the amount of greenhouse gases specially carbon dioxide
emitted by something (like humans activities or any substance manufacture) during some given
period. Once the size of footprint known, a strategy can be made to reduce CO2, for example by
product management, efficient process design, consumption strategies, etc [12].
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
It is a technology which can capture up to 90% of CO2 emission produced from the use
of fossil fuels in the thermal power plant and other industries, preventing the carbon dioxide
from entering to atmosphere. The CCS chain consists of 3 parts like, capturing the CO2,
transporting the CO2 and storing the CO2 emission. This CO2 is undergrounding in depleted oil
and gas fields or deep saline aquifer formation [13].
Use E85 as fuel for vehicles
E85 contains 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. It is a type of ethanol-blended fuels. If the
approximately 5 million vehicles on road today were to burn E85 instead of other fuels, it would
reduce up to 31 million tons CO2 per year [12].
Carbon Capping
According to this policy each company will have a limit to emit greenhouse gas in
atmosphere. Industry must have an emission permit for every ton of CO2 released in
atmosphere [12].

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4.2 Domestic ways

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

We should buy any product without any type of packaging material, so that will decrease
the waste. If we recycle half of our household waste then we can save 2400 pounds of CO2
annually. Instead of throwing plastic material, we can reuse it or recycle it [10].

Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning

Our houses wall should be insulated so they cannot absorb the heat from surrounding.
Installing weather stripping around doors and window can lower heating costs more than 25%.
Turn down the heat when you are away from home and keep temperature moderate at all time
[10].

Replace Light Bulbs

Replace all regular bulbs with LED bulbs. It is also last 25 times longer than incandescent
bulbs, uses 3/4 less energy and gives off 75% less heat [10].

Drive Less and Drive Smart

Less driving means few emissions. If distance is less than instead of using car or bike, we
use cycle or walk for some time and they are also great form of exercise. Keeping tires properly
inflated, so they can improve gas mileage by more than 3% [10].

Buy Energy-Efficient Products

Now, home appliances are came in a range of energy-efficient model. So we must use
these models [10].

Use Less Hot Water

Set water heater at 120 to save energy and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is very
(more than 15 years) old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pound of
CO2 yearly. Wash cloth in cold water to reduce hot water and energy. This change can save 500
pounds of CO2 annually [10].

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 Use the Off Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off the lights when you leave a
room. Also turn off television and computers when you are not using them. Turn off water cock
while brush, shampooing dog or washing cars [10].

Plant a Tree
Trees absorb CO2 and give us oxygen. A single tree absorbs one ton of CO2 during its
lifetime. So grow more and more trees [10].

Encourage Others to Conserve

Share information about this all above topics with our friends, neighbours and co-
workers. Also take opportunity to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies
that are good for the environment [10].

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 References
[1] www.eolss.net/ebooks/sample%20chapters/c06/e6-13-01-01.pdf
[2] www.bom.gov.au/info/GreenhouseEffectAndClimateChange.pdf
[3] http://www.weatherquestions.com/What_is_the_greenhouse_effect.htm
[4] http://climatechange.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=1A0305D5-1
[5] https://www.scribd.com/document/338307207/whatgreenhouse-pdf
[6] www-ramanathan.ucsd.edu/files/pr72.pdf
[7] www.hko.gov.hk/prtver/pdf/docs/cis/climchange/grnhse_e.pdf
[8] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-carbon-dioxide-is-greenhouse-gas/
[9] Arvind Kumar, Environmental Pollution and Agriculture, A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, 491-95
[10] www.eastgwillimbury.ca/Services/.../Ten_Ways_to_Reduce_Greenhouse_Gases.htm
[11] whatsyourimpact.org/effects-increased-greenhouse-gas-emissions
[12] https://www.thebalance.com/reducing-co2-emissions-3157794
[13] http://www.ccsassociation.org/what-is-ccs

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