ETE-30306 Biological Processes for Resource Recovery

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

ETE-24804 Fundamentals of Environmental Technology + PCC-21802 Introductory Thermodynamics or comparable.

Contents:

All organic materials are in one way or another involved in biological cycles. Biodegradation of this material will lead to compounds that can be recovered as resources, which will enter the biological cycle again. The subject of this course is the use of biological processes to recover resources within Environmental Technology. An overview is given of both technological, microbiological, and thermo dynamical aspects of the processes of interest. Based on general kinetics of biological processes, the design principles for wastewater treatment, sustainable energy production from waste and wastewater, off gas cleaning and soil remediation will be derived. Biological processes for the degradation and conversion of organic contaminants, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur under aerobic and anaerobic conditions will be reviewed.

Learning outcomes:

After this course, students are able to:
- interpret literature on technological, microbiological, thermodynamic and innovation aspects;
- relate mathematical relations to the design of biological processes for resource recovery;
- write a concise paper on the technological, microbiological and thermodynamic aspects for a specific case;
- explain essential aspects in resource recovery by engineered biological processes.

Activities:

- attending the lectures;
- literature research;
- studying the theory and work on a case study in a group.

Examination:

Judgement from written exam (50%) and case portfolio (50%), provided that both are valued 5 or higher.

Literature:

Lecture notes.