Midterm Exam – Winter 2024 Student #:
Date: March 09, 2024 Time: 90 minutes
Grading: 100 pts.
Weight: 25% of the total course grade
INSTRUCTIONS
Do not start until instructed by the invigilator.
If you believe there is an error in a question, make an assumption and continue based on that assumption. Be sure to
argue your assumption clearly in writing to have a chance at partial credit.
This exam is closed book.
ENCS Faculty-approved calculator may be used.
The invigilators will not attempt to interpret or clarify a question, only handle administrative issues.
The exam has 14 questions.
GOOD LUCK!
1. The gas composition of the emissions of a factory is measured and listed in the table below.
Assuming that the overall flowrate of the gas stream is 55000 kg per year, calculate the total
GHG-100 emissions of the plant in kg CO2,eq per year (10 points).
Component CH4 CO2 N2O HFC-23 HFC-41
Mass% 7 85 3 3 2
The global warming potential of different gases is shown in the following table.
Component Global warming potential, time horizon
20 years 100 years 500 years
CO2 1 1 1
CH4 56 21 6.5
N2O 280 310 170
HFC-23 9100 11700 9800
HFC-41 490 150 45
2. Methane is classified as one of the key greenhouse gases with a relatively long decay period.
Assuming 10 kg of methane is released into the atmosphere, and after 31 years 87% of that
breaks down into water and CO2, determine the half-life of methane (10 points).
3. Which pollutants are identified as the six Criteria Air Pollutants? (6 points)
4. Explain the difference between weather and climate change (4 points)
5. Explain resilience in the context of the environment (3 points)
6. What gas is beneficial in the stratosphere but causes damage to plants and animals in the
troposphere? Explain how it is typically formed in the troposphere. (6 points)
7. Name one oil-related environmental disaster and give its approximate location (4 points)