ozone
...stances, there have been considerable progress in finding non-ozone depleting substitutes for the ODS in the last few years. Substitutes for air-conditioning and refrigeration applications are now available, such as that CFC-12 can be replaced by HFC-134a. There are also emerging markets for drop-in replacement for CFC and halons. There area some cases can be used with alternative products or processes. Air-conditioning and refrigeration plants can operate on non-CFC refrigerants. For packaging and containers, substitute materials, plastic film bubble wraps, hydrocarbon blown polystyrene, plastic film wraps and bags. Moreover, CFCs solvents can be substituted in some applications. For instance, petroleum solvents can be selected as a replacement for CFC-113 or 1,1,1-trichloroethane in cleaning applications aqueous cleaning, or even no-clean technology, area also alternative processes that can be used by the electronic industry. Many household and personal have aerosol products, e.g. paint sprays and insecticides, now using hydrocarbons (e.g. propane and butane) as propellants instead of CFCs, Diethy ether may also be used as propellants replacing CFCs. To protect the ozone layer, Hong Kong have a list of actions to do. In September 1987, an international treaty aimed at saving the Earth’s ozone layer, know as the Montreal Protocol on Substance that Deplete the Ozone Layer, was signed in Montreal, Canada. The protocol requires the phasing out of the ODS in accordance with agreed schedules substances. Then Hong Kong has action at once and has the timetable to phase out the substances, including, July 1989, control of import and export of scheduled substances. In January, 1994, banning of import for local consumption of halons. In January, 1995, licensing of import of methyl bromide strictly for local quarantine and re-shipment applications. In January, 1996, banning of import for local consumption of CFCs, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and HBFCs and licensing of import of HCFCs for local consumption. In January 1,2004 the quota for import for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) was reduced from 138.9 to 90.3 tonnes. And according to the Montreal Protocol, Hong Kong should reduce in phase local consumption of HCFCs to ozone by 2030. And, finally, the use of HCFCs will be banned in the future. Hong Kong is a successful city for protecting ozone layer, because it has a well-controlling system. Besides from the timetable mentioned above. It has the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance to assist the government to establish a better environment. The main purpose of the Ordinance is to give effort to the international obligation affecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Ordinance prohibit the manufacturing of substances that deplete the ozone layer and imposes control on the import and export of these substances through registration and licensing provisions. Moreover, other provisions of the Ordinance include penalties for non-compliance; powers of investigation by the enforcement authority; appeals against the Authority ‘s decision regarding issue of license, and power to make regulations for control and prohibition of manufacture, import or export of products containing or made with ozone depleting substances. To be legally import and export of scheduled substances, registration and licensing is essential in Hong Kong. And persons who wish to obtain a license to import or export a scheduled substance must be registration under section 5 of the Ordinance. And each consignment of import or export of a scheduled substance must be covered by a valid license issued by the Trade and Industry Department. In considering whether to issue a license or vary the conditions of a license, the Director shall comply with the international obligation. The director, may also impose more stringent measures than are required by the convention and the protocols. And, the persons whose registration or license has been contravened or the registration was made or license was issued as a result of an error or an unlawful act of the applicant or a false representation of a fact made by him. And Hong Kong government given the powers of authorized officers in relation to enforcement, they can enter and search premises other than domestic premises, require a person to produce documents for his inspection, take samples and examine. Furthermore, they can use reasonable force to enter premises, remove a person or detain a person during the searching of the place or premises. If he fails to comply the requirement of the Ordinance, he is liable to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 6 months. The director may apply to a court or magistrate for the forfeiture in proceeding under the ordinance or in separate proceeding relating to the things seized. And, finally, it has powers to make regulations. The regulations may include control or prohibition of their import, export, manufacture, use, sale, distribution, storage, handling, recovering, recycling, emission, labeling and disposal. These show that Hong Kong has honored the full obligation of the Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendment through the enforcement of the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance. Question 2: Outline the feasible technological, economical, legislative and political options of improving air quality in the Pearl River Delta. Select one option to discuss its benefits and constraints. Answer: The economic and population growth have been tremendous in the past decades, both within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and in the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone (PRDEZ). This has resulted in deteriorating air quality within the entire Pearl River Delta Region. The control measures for improving Air Quality are based on direct effectiveness, followed by technological availability as evident from successful implementation in other parts of the world. The suggestions have gone through preliminary socio-economic analysis. These possible measures are reasonable engineering methods to reduce pollution. In Pearl River Delta, most of the air pollutants are coming from the combustion of fuel, even from power generator or vehicles. Commercial available engineering solution for post-combustion fuel gas de-sulphurization includes additive injection, wet scrubbing and spray dry absorption. The control technologies for NOx are divided into two fundamental streams, namely combustion control, that means NOx during formed and after formed respectively, it is common practice to have combustion control including low-NOx burner (LNB), overfire air, and low excess air biased burner fire system to be installed at fuel consuming facilities. For past combustion control includes selective non-catalytic reduction and selective catalytic reduction. Moreover, it should be control the VOC vapor emission arising from the refueling of motor vehicles. These options include a vapor recovery nozzle or hose that could effectively collect the displaced vapor, or an onboard carbon absorber installed on the motor vehicle itself. This is inexpensive and simple technology applicable for both HKSAR and PRDEZ should be pursued. As we know, the one of the major pollution emitter is vehicle. To reduce the pollutants release, we are possible to apply alternative fuel vehicles. Compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and electric vehicles are possible to have fewer emissions than regular gasoline. Another major emitter, power plant, it should be switch to cleaner fuel, such as natural gas to reduce the air pollution. To comply with the reduction of pollution, some economical options will not only benefit Guangdong in terms of air quality improvement, but also benefit the western provinces economically. Clean fuel options for PRDEZ include hydroelectricity, natural gas, nuclear power and utilization of electricity generated in the western provinces. And, in the industrial section within PRDEZ, centralized co-generation power facilities or an extended electricity grid could be alternatives to the generation of electricity by individual facilities using fuel combustion system. Small and medium sized enterprises in an individual estate could share a central system delivering electricity, process heat and stream as well as treating waste gas. The cost shared by the users would be much less than that required if each facility were to undertake energy production and waste gas...