ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
The basic concepts of Environmental Engineering, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry are intended to be established and the concepts of Environmental Impact Assessement and Reclamation of Contaminated Sites in a Bachelor Degree in the Environmental Sector are recommended (but not mandatory).
The examination of Advanced Environmental Engineering is divided into two partial tests, each related to modules A (solid waste) and B (wastewater treatment).
In order to pass both tests, the student must demonstrate adequate theoretical knowledge of the topics covered, ability to perform calculations aimed at designing and verifying the functionality of the treatment plants and ability to expose the acquired knowledge. The answers will positively evaluate both the completeness and the synthesis in the topic presentation, also using schemes, graphs and illustrations.
As specified above, passing the exam is linked to the positive outcome of both partial tests provided for each of the two modules. The final evaluation will be the average of the two evaluations, as long as both of them are, at least, sufficient. The student who has passed both partial exams will have to enroll in the final exam which will only consist in the registration of the final mark.
More specifically:
Module A
In order to assess the learning outcomes, a final written test will be carried out, consisting of 10 questions covering all the topics covered in the course; each correct and complete answer is evaluated three points. Also the personal bibliographic work done by the students and delivered before the end of the course. The candidate, having read the overall assessment of the written test, can request an oral supplementary exam on a date to be defined.
Module B
In order to assess the learning outcomes, a final written test will be carried out, consisting of some questions (3 to 5) which can cover all the topics described in the course; one of the questions may consist of a designing or verification exercise of one or more treatment units. The answers will positively evaluate both the completeness and the synthesis in the topic presentation, also using graphic schemes.
The time of the written test is fixed in an about 2 hours.
The course constitutes a deepening and completion of the concepts of Environmental Engineering and, in particular, of pollution control systems.
The course aims to refine the knowledge and skills necessary for the activity of a technician in the field of wastewater and solid waste treatments, dedicating a specific module to each of these topics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. know and describe the concepts needed to critically tackle a process of wastewater or waste classification and management
2. design the plants necessary for the treatment of wastewater and solid waste, including the most innovative technologie, and to verify its dimensional adequacy in relation to the functionality requirements
3. compare and evaluate treatment design alternatives, with the aim of recovering materials and energy and reducing the environmental impacts generated by the various types of plants
4. know the regulatory references and be able to consult them
5. describe the administrative management of wastewater and solid waste
6. set up a treatment chain possibly aimed to recovering wastewater or solid waste and minimizing the final residues and the generated environmental impact
7. participate in the environmental monitoring of real systems
8. deal with problems related to the management of plant treatment and contribute to minimize risks for operators
The topics are:
• Reference legislation, classification of waste (4 hours)
• Authorization procedures for the plant construction (4 hours)
• Pretreatments (4 hours)
• Waste Fuel Production (4 hours)
• Composting (4 hours)
• Anaerobic digestion of MSW and other organic matrices (4 hours)
• Controlled landfill (4 hours)
• Incineration (4 hours)
Module B
The topics are:
• Normative reference and genaral processes for the treatment of sewage
• Qualitative water characterization (physical and organoleptic parameters, chemical and biochemical parameters, microbiological parameters, sampling and water quality)
• Quantitative water characterization (flow)
• General characteristics of wastewater treatment processes
• Conventional purification processes: criteria and dimensioning methods
• Other innovative processes
• Hydraulic profile of a treatment plant
• Calculations for sizing and functional verification
• Discharge pricing
• Re-use of treated water
• Environmental impacts related to a treatment plant
• Energy saving
Apart from the description of the calculations for sizing and functional verifications, which the course will focus more attention on (about 8 hours), all the other topics will have an equivalent treatment of about 4 hours.
Module A
Book: no.
Slides of lessons: from the e-learning website
Technical papers selected by professor and downloadable from e-learning website or available in the University libraries.
Module B
Book:
Raboni M., Torretta V., Urbini G. Ingegneria sanitaria ambientale. Flaccovio Editore, 2015. ISBN 978-88-579-0352-1.
Slides of lessons: from the e-learning website
Technical papers selected by professor and downloadable from e-learning website.
Module A
The course is based on frontal theoretical lessons, occasionally in cooperation with technical experts coming from public administrations and companies that operate in the waste management sector. The participants to the module have to organize working groups and, at the end of the course, they have to present the results of a bibliographic research on one of the topics connected to the assigned didactic program.
Module B
The course is based on frontal theoretical lessons.
Classroom activities also include the drawing up of real projects, elaborations and simulations, team work and other projects, done through technical slides and videos, too.
Depending on the availability of the managers, technical teaching visits will be held in some wastewater treatment plants.
Module A
Students can meet with the professor in his office by previous phone or email appointment (e-mail: fabio.conti@uninsubria.it; phone number: 0332-218780).
Module B
Students can meet with the professor in his office by previous phone or email appointment (e-mail: vincenzo.torretta@uninsubria.it, phone number: 0332218782).
Modules
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Credits: 6Place of teaching: Varese - Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
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Credits: 6Place of teaching: Varese - Università degli Studi dell'Insubria