Environmental Processes - 2024 entry

This module is aimed at individuals looking to have a deeper understanding of the impacts water has on engineering projects and human health. The module covers water management, water quality, water treatment and wastewater treatment processes and technologies, with applied examples, and the necessary background science to understand them. By the end of the module, you should be able to understand the required environmental chemistry associated to water management, the water quality required for engineering use and the treatment processes available; and gain awareness of some advance topics.
 

This module aims to provide an understanding of environmental processes associated with water resources management (environmental engineering). The first part of the module aims to provide the required background, covering topics related to chemistry, physical processes and biology in environmental engineering. The second part of the module aims to cover water quality, water treatment and wastewater treatment, as required for use in engineering processes and for human/ecosystem health.

Prior knowledge of engineering processes is desired, but the module is designed as a standalone course and the background theory required is provided in the class textbook. The module is suitable for specialist students advancing on the MSc in Water Management/ Engineering and for any student in a civil and environmental engineering degree. Non-specialist students with an interest in water management can attend, provided they have a scientific background and can understand basic engineering concepts.
 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1.     Apply knowledge of science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems in relation to water management/pollution control. (M1)

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

2.     Demonstrate practical laboratory skills to investigate complex processes relating to water/wastewater treatment, e.g. sedimentation. (C12)

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

3. Function effectively as a member of a team and evaluate effectiveness of team performance. (M16)

FIRST PART – Water Science

Chemistry             

-Essential Concepts

-Equilibria

-Kinetics

Biology 

- Microbiology

- Biochemistry

- Oxygen Demand

Physical Processes

- Mass Balance

- Heat Balance

-  Heat and Mass Transfer

- Advanced Processes

 SECOND PART – Water Treatment Processes

Water Quality       

- River Water Quality

- Lake and Reservoir Water Quality

- Groundwater Quality

Water Treatment  

- Introduction

- Characteristics of Untreated Water

- Water Quality Standards

- Overview of Water Treatment Processes

- Coagulation and Flocculation

- Hardness Removal

- Sedimentation

- Filtration

- Disinfection

- Energy Usage

Wastewater Treatment        

- Introduction

- Characteristics of Domestic Wastewater

- Overview of Treatment Processes

- Preliminary Treatment

- Primary Treatment

- Secondary Treatment

- Modifications to the Activated-Sludge Process

- Attached-Growth Reactors

- Removal of Nutrients: Nitrogen and Phosphorus

- Disinfection and Aeration

- Sludge Treatment and Disposal

- Energy Usage during Wastewater Treatment

Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the failed or deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%.

Reading list for this module:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: