ENG07043 2019 Environmental Engineering 301H

Define and interpret the scientific principles and engineering concepts as they relate to wastewater, raw water and sludge from a range of domestic, industrial and commercial sources

Formulate and evaluate the process options to control water pollution, to remove contaminants from wastewater, to provide clean drinking and industrial water for supply systems and render sludge suitable for treatment and disposal to the environment.

Design systems that provide for efficient removal of contaminants from raw water for the supply of drinking water, treatment of raw wastewater prior to discharge to water bodies, and water and wastewater sludge management within a sustainable framework.

Perform, observe and report critically on a range of laboratory experimental tests and process design software for raw and treated water, wastewater and sludge samples, observing and recording data and experimental evidence in teams, and recognise and advise on any limitations or shortcomings associated with the interpretation of laboratory and process design data.

Design, test and report on specific process design projects and field studies relating to water, wastewater or sludge treatment systems

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 three 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. EU and Irish Water pollution and wastewater treatment legislation and regulations
2. Wastewater sources, quantification and characteristics
3. Overview of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment options
4. Preliminary and primary treatment of wastewater
5. Secondary wastewater treatment processes
6. Tertiary and advanced treatment of wastewater
7. Wastewater treatment optimisation and operational control methodologies
8. Wastewater treatment for small communities and single houses.
9. Wastewater sludge quantification, sources and characteristics.
10. Sludge treatment, management and treatment processes.
11. Water quality properties and characteristics, and drinking water treatment parameters.
12. The sourcing and extraction of raw water for treatment from river, lake and groundwater sources.
13. The physical, chemical and biological treatment of water for drinking water, municipal, industrial and processing purposes. Processes include pre-sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, flotation, filtration, disinfection and fluoridation. Design and layout of municipal (public) water treatment plants.
14. The supply and distribution requirements for rural and urban networks, including review of the rural water programme. 
15. The sources, treatment and disposal options for water treatment sludge to meet the current EU and Irish regulations.

 Indicative Practicals/Projects  

1. Settled sludge volume, Sludge Volume Index, and solids settleability tests
2. BOD/COD determination for a raw and treated wastewater
3. Determination of nutrient concentrations in polluted water and wastewater
4. Wastewater treatment plant visits
5. Design and layout of wastewater treatment plants
6. Operation of wastewater process design, simulation and modelling software - Hydromantis GPS-X
7. Testing of a pilot activated sludge aeration unit to determine treatment efficiency - Gunt AS pilot plant.
8. Conditioning of wastewater sludge for dewatering processes.
9. Sludge filtration - Capillary Suction Time test.
10. Water quality parameters testing including nitrates, phosphates, indicator pathogens, and iron/manganese.
11. Design and operation of a scaled unit to represent a water treatment  process (working in groups)
12. Coagulation and flocculation "jar test" for determination of raw water chemical treatment concentrations.
13. Visits to water treatment plants and water distribution projects. 
14. Determination of residual chlorine and fluoride concentrations in the water distribution network.
15. Computer-aided design of water treatment processes and systems using Hydromantis WatPro software.