Environmental engineering is an ever-evolving industry driven by small technological advances that build up to impactful changes. Even the slightest changes in chemical profiles and manufacturing processes reshape regulatory requirements and the testing processes used by environmental engineers and consultants.
How have these changes affected the industry so far, and how are consultants using innovations in environmental engineering technology to navigate complex scenarios and drive sustainable progress?
Innovations in Air Emissions Testing and Environmental Engineering Technology
A lot has changed in manufacturing since the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act in 1970. These regulations were established when ethanol derived from corn was the primary alternative fuel being produced. Today, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is becoming more commonplace in the industry. The bioprocessing technology used to manufacture SAF from ethanol involves entirely different chemistry and engineering, resulting in new emissions profiles — and updates to air quality permitting, testing, and standards.
The shift from wet paint to powder coating has also affected air emissions permitting, testing, and regulations. Emissions profiles that once centered around organic compounds now focus on concentrations of particulate matter released into the air. Even rail and ground transport regulations have been affected by changes in the types of chemicals transported to chemical facilities.
More Advanced and Efficient Testing Methods
One of the most significant technological changes to air permitting is how engineers test emissions. Not all that long ago, the process involved collecting an air sample and sending it to a lab to analyze and speciate the gas, then waiting days or weeks for the results. If the results showed a facility was not compliant with regulations, engineers would need to adjust chemical profiles and/or processes and run the emissions test again. All of this affected the timing of permits and when a facility could begin or resume operation.
Today, the technology and chromatography work performed by labs can happen on-site and in real time. Modern processes typically involve installing a probe to test and monitor for volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants outlined in air emissions regulations. As results are received and analyzed, engineers can quickly make adjustments and bring facilities into compliance much faster than in the past.
Infrared technology has also been introduced as a method of emissions testing, though the technology has not been perfected. For example, the EPA has been experimenting with photogrammetric testing and analysis for emissions evaluations. Even though the camera technology is highly advanced, additional testing methods are still required to quantify the data.
How Bioremediation Is Shaping the Industry
Sustainability has been a focus area of environmental engineering and remediation for some time. However, one of the biggest developments in site cleanup is bioremediation. Historical remediation methods for underground oil tank leaks and other contamination involved removing the contamination source and as much surrounding soil as possible. If groundwater contamination was detected, engineers would install a pump system to treat and replace the water. While effective, mechanical systems can only go so far in restoring a site.
Bioremediation is a process of natural attenuation that involves enhancing the earth’s naturally existing cleaning systems to decontaminate a site. Engineers start by identifying the naturally occurring bacteria at a cleanup site, then culture and grow microbes in a lab for reintroduction into the contaminated environment. Although bioremediation can take longer to complete, it is highly effective in removing remaining contaminants after completing mechanical remediation.
The science and environmental engineering technology behind these practices continue to advance and be more accepted and requested by clients, especially with growing concerns around PFAS and microplastic contamination of water and soil. Eventually, the biological treatment of air emissions will also become mainstream as engineers seek newer and more effective remediation methods for pollutants.
Artificial Intelligence, Data Collection, and Drone Technology
No industry has been left untouched by AI. For environmental engineers, one of the more significant impacts of this technology has been with drones and remote site monitoring. As little as five years ago, consulting firms heavily relied on boots-on-the-ground engineers to monitor and analyze project sites.
Now, engineers can house a drone on-site and deploy it remotely to perform visual assessments, including air sampling. The software programs used for drones also allow for fast data transfer between the equipment and the engineer’s computer. This technology is most helpful in remote or difficult-to-access areas and project sites that require ongoing monitoring.
The tools used to collect data and perform data compliance are becoming more intuitive by the day. In the case of analyzing lab results, AI helps engineers process and organize data from large reports and condense it into a useful format. Engineers can now easily share data and information with clients, allowing them to view data or live feed project footage without learning a complex software program.
With AI and data collection technology advancing rapidly, engineers find themselves on a continuous learning curve as they try to stay ahead of the continuous changes. They also need to be responsible for thoroughly explaining and quantifying any new testing methodologies used before submitting any reports or applications to regulatory agencies.
What Will the Industry Look Like for Environmental Engineers of the Future?
With technology and the industry continuously evolving, it is tough to know what the future holds for environmental engineers and consultants. Even though technological advances appear to be big leaps to those on the outside, they are, in reality, the result of small progressions.
As we move ahead, regulatory agencies will need to remain flexible to accommodate innovations in biofuel production, renewable energy, and other technologies that introduce new emissions profiles. Environmental engineers of the future will need to evolve their knowledge, too, as they encounter continuous changes in processing, testing methodologies, and regulator guidelines set by the EPA and other agencies.
At Pinnacle Engineering, the evolution and knowledge of our engineers from being around various types of processes and technology helps them adapt quickly as things progress within an industry. Our team has a unique understanding of air permitting, chemical processing, and emergency response and is committed to finding and adopting the latest tools as they become available.
Learn more about working with an environmental engineer, and give us a call to discuss your project.