ETE-30806 Physical-Chemical Processes in Environmental Technology

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course deals with the design and operation of those physical/chemical unit operations (processes) which are of great importance for application in the field of environmental technology. These processes include phase separation processes, molecular contact and separation processes and chemical conversion processes applied in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, waste treatment and air pollution control. Based on bot a characterisation of the waste stream of concern and an identification of unit operations which are considered to be appropriate to treat t he waste stream mass and heat balanced are set up and mechanistic models are derived enabling a qualitative description of the treatment process. In this set up and design also physical transport phenomena, chemical and physical equilibria and chemical reaction kinetics are involved. The mechanistic models are a basis for reactor design, optimisation and scaling up. Unit operations (processes) which are discussed in this course are:
- settling, filtration, flotation, hydrocyclone treatment, membrane filtration, stripping, adsorption, absorption, extraction, ion exchange;
- ozonation, oxidation, disinfection, UV treatment, thermal cleaning and waste incineration.

Aims:

The objective of the course is to provide environmental technological knowledge to the student which includes:
- knowledge of relevant phase separation processes, molecular contact and separation processes and chemical conversion processes.;
- qualitative knowledge of operating principle, field of application and practical experience;
- knowledge regarding the physical/chemical characterisation of wastewater, wastes, off-gases and polluted soil;
- knowledge of the mechanistic operation , principles of phase separation technology;
- knowledge of the principles of molecular contact and separation processes. Thermodynamic equilibrium, diffusion processes, mass transfer;
- knowledge of chemical conversion processes: reaction kinetics, coupling of mass transfer and chemical reactions, heat balances and chemical reactions;
- modeling and design of reactors by means of mass and heat balances.

Activities:

Study of physical/chemical processes, assignments

Examination:

Judgement from written examinations and assignments.

Literature:

Handbooks, syllabi, lecture notes.