The Undergraduate Program of Environmental Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, successfully held a guest lecture titled “Technological Approaches for Managing and Lowering Air Pollutants in Industrial Environment” on Friday, October 4, 2024. The event, which was held online, invited Prof. Lin-Chi Wang, a renowned expert in the field of air pollution control from the National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. The guest lecture took place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. WIB and was moderated by Aulia Nur Mustaqiman, STP, M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer in the Department of Biosystem Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya.
Prof. Lin-Chi Wang is widely known for his contributions to research related to air pollution reduction technology. In this lecture, he explained various current technological approaches to reduce hazardous pollutant emissions from the industrial sector, especially those related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are hazardous chemical compounds that can persist in the environment for a long time and negatively impact human health and ecosystems.
One of the topics highlighted in Prof. Wang’s presentation was the importance of implementing cleaner fuels and environmentally friendly fuels in industry. He explained how replacing conventional fuels with fuels from renewable energy can significantly reduce emissions of pollutants such as dioxins and furans, two hazardous compounds often produced by industrial combustion. Not only that, he also discussed the use of advanced emission control technologies such as scrubbers, activated carbon filters, and optimization of operating parameters that can help reduce air pollution effectively.
Prof. Wang also explained the various mechanisms of pollutant formation during the combustion process and how modern technology can be used to prevent the formation of these hazardous pollutants. By using this approach, emissions from various industrial sources can be minimized, so that air quality around industrial areas is better maintained. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between academics, industry, and government in overcoming this problem for a cleaner future environment.
During the discussion session, students showed high enthusiasm by asking various questions related to the challenges and opportunities in managing air pollution in the industry. Prof. Wang patiently answered each question, providing a deep understanding of best practices that can be applied in the industry, as well as how technological innovation continues to evolve to address the negative impacts of air pollution.
The guest lecture moderator, Aulia Nur Mustaqiman, STP, M.Sc., Ph.D., closed the event by expressing her deep appreciation to Prof. Lin-Chi Wang for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience. He also reminded the students that their role as future technocrats is very important in creating solutions to global environmental issues, including air pollution. It is hoped that this event will inspire students to continue learning and contributing to the development of environmentally friendly technology in the future.
This guest lecture is part of the efforts of the Environmental Engineering Study Program, Universitas Brawijaya, to provide the latest insights and knowledge for students, especially related to the major challenges in the field of air pollution faced by many countries. With this activity, it is hoped that students will be able to understand more deeply about innovative solutions that can be applied to overcome air pollution problems, while also increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining air quality for public health and environmental sustainability.