ENG07024 2019 Wastewater Treatment 302

Determine the source, characteristics and quantities of municipal (public) and industrial (private) wastewater for collection and treatment prior to discharge to the environment.

Appraise the physical and biological processes of preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of  municipal and industrial wastewater.

Design the physical and biological treatment processes for a conventional public wastewater treatment plant to comply with the requirements of licencing, Irish and EU regulations and Directives.

Optimise the operation, performance, and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants, recognise the causes of plant malfunction and poor performance, and appraise the solutions to improve performance.

Perform in teams and report on laboratory and design project work to measure the parameters relating to the characteristics of wastewater and its efficient treatment.

The teaching and learning strategy is based on the use of both direct verbal and visual instruction (theory lectures, presentations and practical and project briefings), and aural learning by giving instruction and guidance during laboratory project work, site visits, and assignments. 

Group interaction and enquiry-based learning is encouraged during project and laboratory work using group feedback to review progress and facilitate group discussion and collaboration.

The learning is also supplemented by independent learning with library, on-line and digital resources available for learners to research publications and knowledge for assignments, project work and to complement theory from lectures.

This strategy is accommodated by providing two hours per week of theory lectures and two hours per week of laboratory and project work classes.

The module is assessed using a blended mix of final semester examination (70%)and laboratory practical,  project and site visit report work (30%).

Each learner must achieve a mark of at least 40% to pass the module and meet the learning outcomes.

Assessment of the examination and submitted project reports shall be summative in form. Formative assessment will also be used continuously during the laboratory, project and site visit report work to guide and provide feedback on progress to the learner.

Group work, where appropriate, is assessed by determining the individual contribution of each learner using group meetings, discussion and feedback. 

Learners shall repeat only the failed elements. The learner must then achieve an overall mark of 40% to pass the module, including repeat assessments, which will be determined from the combination of assessment elements as per the assessment strategy.

1. Wastewater characteristics, measurements and parameters. Wastewater sources and quantities, including municipal (public) and industrial (private) influent. Regulations, standards and Directives relating to wastewater. Authorisation of wastewater treatment plants (licencing and certification)
2. Preliminary treatment processes, including flow measurement, storm retention and overflows, screening, and grit removal.
3. Primary treatment of wastewater. Types, design and operation
4. Activated Sludge aeration processes. Design and operation. Activated sludge and aeration variations including extended aeration, conventional aeration, and sequencing batch reactor (SBR) types. Secondary settlement tank design and operation. Return and waste activated sludge.
5. Biofilm processes. Design and operation. Biofilm or attached biomass variations including percolating (trickling) filter and rotating biological contactor (RBC) types. Secondary settlement tank design and operation.
6. Tertiary treatment processes. Nutrient removal and disinfection of wastewater effluent. 
7. Wastewater Treatment Plant performance, operation and maintenance. Optimisation of WwTPs.

Indicative Practicals and Projects:

1. Suspended and total solids measurement of wastewater.
2. Volatile and fixed solids measurement of wastewater.
3. Settleable solids. Imhoff cone.
4. Organic concentration- BOD and COD measurement of wastewater.
5. Nitrate and Phosphate measurement.
6. Microscopic analysis of activated sludge wastewater mixed liquor.
7. Sludge settlement volume and sludge settleability analysis, SVI/SSVI.
8. Site Visit to Municipal WwTP.
9. Report on wastewater plant authorisation and operation in accordance to licence.
10. Pilot wastewater treatment plant operation and control (Gunt Activated Sludge Unit).
11. Wastewater treatment plant software for plant optimisation (GPS-X).