1) Which emissions are turned to fuel using a membrane made of calcium, iron oxide and lanthium?
a. Carbon
b. Sulphur
c. Oxygen
d. Hydrogen
e. Only a and b
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Answer
Explanation
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ANSWER: Only a and b
Explanation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists have developed a new system that can convert carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into useful fuel for cars and aircraft.
The researchers used a membrane - made of lanthanum, calcium, and iron oxide. It allows the oxygen from carbon dioxide to migrate through the membrane to the other side, leaving carbon monoxide behind.
Carbon monoxide produced during this process can be used as a fuel by itself or combined with hydrogen and/or water to make many other liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
It can also be used to produce methanol (used as an automotive fuel), syngas, and so on.
This new process could become part of the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies which, if applied to electricity production, could reduce the impact of fossil fuel use on global warming.
The membrane is "100 percent selective for oxygen," allowing only those atoms to pass.
The researchers used a stream of fuel such as hydrogen or methane which get readily oxidised and draw the oxygen atoms through the membrane.
The membrane also prevents the oxygen from migrating back and recombining with the carbon monoxide, to form carbon dioxide all over again.
The method may not only cut greenhouse emissions; it could also produce another potential revenue stream to help defray its costs, researchers indicated.
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2) Scurrying for solutions to fight the toxic air pollution, the government has said it plans to transport coal differently. How?
a. via aircrafts
b. via covered rail wagons and trucks
c. via covered rail wagaons and open jeeps
d. via bullock-carts
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Answer
Explanation
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ANSWER: via covered rail wagons and trucks
Explanation:
Government to transport coal in trucks, rail wagons
Scurrying for solutions to fight the toxic air pollution, the government has said it plans to transport coal in covered rail wagons and trucks across the country.
Ferrying of coal in uncovered vehicles and rail wagons is said to be one of the key reasons behind high pollution levels along the transportation route from coal mine or importing sea port to user plants like power generation houses.
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3) Which of the following heavy metals has the SC banned in the use of fire crackers, as they lead to air pollution?
a. Lithium
b. Mercury
c. Lead
d. Only b and c
e. All of the above
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Answer
Explanation
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ANSWER: All of the above
Explanation:
The Supreme Court has imposed ban on use of five harmful heavy metals like lithium, antimony, mercury, arsenic and lead in the manufacturing of firecrackers as they cause air pollution.
The SC order came on a 2015 petition filed by three Delhi children who had requested the apex court to intervene to regulate the use of crackers and fireworks during festivals like Diwali.
The apex court held that it is the responsibility of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to ensure compliance of ban order particularly in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu where there are large number of firecracker manufacturers.
It also asked CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and PESO to make collaborative efforts for setting up of standards with regard to air pollution caused by the bursting of fire-crackers.
Heavy metals in firecrackers Lithium is a metal used to impart red colour to fireworks. Antimony is used to create glitter effects.
Lead oxide provides a special crackling effect which, if inhaled, in high concentration can cause damage to the nervous system.
PESO: Know More - PESO is the apex department to control and administer manufacture, storage, transport and handling of explosives, petroleum, compressed gases and other hazardous substances in India.
- It functions under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives and is headquartered at Nagpur, Maharashtra.
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4) Mass emission standards for BS-VI for numerous category vehicles including those with gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3500 kg manufactured on or after April 1, 2020 for all models is specified. What does BS VI stand for ?
a. Bharat Stage VI
b. Bharat Series VI
c. Bharatiya Stage VI
d. None of the above
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Answer
Explanation
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ANSWER: Bharat Stage VI
Explanation:
Moving directly to Euro VI emission norms for petrol and diesel from April 1, 2020, government has come up with draft rules on emission standards for varying categories of vehicles. Specifying mass emission standards for BS-VI for numerous category vehicles including those with gross weight value not exceeding 3500 kg manufactured on or after April 1, 2020 for all models, government has sought suggestion within a month and the rules have been called the Central Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 2016. Draft of certain rules aims at amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 which the central government proposed to make in exercise with powers conferred under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. Government decided to jump from Euro IV to Euro VI emission norms and oil plus will invest INR 28,750 crore for the transition.
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