ETE-23803 Environmental Process Engineering

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

MAT-14903 Mathematics 2, MAT-15003 Mathematics 3 and SCO-22803

Continuation courses:

ETE-21306 Water Treatment

Contents:

This course first deals with reaction kinetics, including zero- and first-order, Monod- and enzyme kinetics, with a focus on applications in environmental engineering. It is shown how experimental data can be used to assess and estimate kinetic parameters. Kinetics and stoichiometry are combined in mass balances for several reactor types that are commonly applied by environmental engineers, i.e. completely stirred tanks, plug flow reactors and derived reactor types such as sequencing batch reactors and series of completely mixed tanks. This results in simple mathematical models which can be used to calculate reactor volumes and predict reactor performance. The course concludes by discussing the importance of retention time distribution functions and their application. All items will be illustrated with examples taken from biological and chemical wastewater treatment.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course, the student is expected to be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of zero- and first-order, Monod- and enzyme kinetics;
- estimate kinetic parameters from experimental data;
- combine reaction kinetics and stoichiometry in simple mass balances for several reactor types such as completely stirred tank reactors, plug flow reactors and sequencing batch reactors;
- predict reactor performance based on simple mathematical models for such reactors;
- apply the principles of retention time distribution functions;
- analyse and evaluate experimental data and concisely report about the results.

Activities:

- interactive lectures;
- exercises;
- three case assignments on which a concise report should be written.

Examination:

Written open book exam (50%), case assignment reports (50%); in order to pass the examination, a passing mark (5.5 or higher) in each individual part is required.

Literature:

- Environmental Process Engineering Theory;
- Environmental Process Engineering Cases and exercises;
- case assignments;
- two scientific papers to support the case assignments.