58067 - Technologies for the Environment

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has acquired knowledge of the main techniques for the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents. Furthermore, the student knows the operating principles and construction characteristics of the apparatuses most frequently used in treatment plants and is able to perform simple calculations for functional design and verification for some of them.

Course contents

Prerequisites:

Elementary functions and basic knowledge of differential and integral calculus for real-valued functions of one real variable.

Knowledge of the main physical quantities and of the relationships between them. Main units of measurement. Elements of mechanics of material points and systems.

Integral mass and energy balances. Fluid motion. Elementary mechanisms of heat and mass transfer.

 

Treatment of liquid effluents:

 Introduction to the criteria for the analysis of technologies for the treatment of liquid effluents: identification of the environmental problem, properties of the effluent, exploited physical, chemical or biological principle, simplified model of the apparatus, and elementary criteria for verification or design.

Aerobic biological processes with suspended biomass: principles of operation, mass balances on substrate and biomass, role of recycle and wasting, separation of biomass from treated water by secondary sedimentation. Elements of biological kinetics, oxygen transfer and functional verification of the biological-sedimentation system.

Processes for the removal of dissolved contaminants by adsorption on solids: solid-liquid equilibrium, adsorbent capacity, transfer towards the surface, operation of fixed beds and breakthrough curves.

Thermal treatment of liquid effluents: principles of evaporative cooling, coupled heat and mass transfer in air-water contact, essential characteristics of cooling towers.

Treatment of gaseous effluents:

Introduction to the criteria for the analysis of technologies for the treatment of gaseous effluents: properties of gaseous streams, nature of pollutants, exploited separation or transformation principle, essential construction features of the apparatuses, and elementary criteria for verification or design.

Separation of particulate matter from gaseous streams by inertial and centrifugal principles: analogy with gravitational sedimentation, removal efficiency, pressure drops and functional verification of separation apparatuses.

Separation of gaseous components by membranes: selective transport through dense membranes, driving force, permeability, selectivity and application limits.

Qualitative references to other technologies for the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents, with reference to the physical and chemical principles that determine their field of application.

Readings/Bibliography

The texts listed below are suggested for consultation and for further study of individual topics in the programme. The adoption of a single reference textbook is not envisaged, nor will the course follow in detail the structure of any specific volume.

L. Bonomo, Trattamenti delle acque reflue, McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Metcalf & Eddy, Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, 2013.

D. L. Russell, Practical Wastewater Treatment, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, 2006.

W. L. McCabe, J. C. Smith, P. Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures.

Assessment methods

The examination aims to verify the achievement of the following learning objectives:

• ability to use the analytical and calculation tools covered in the lectures to understand the operation and management techniques of apparatuses frequently used in the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents;
• ability to use analytical tools to understand and critically discuss the operation of plants and apparatuses used for the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents.

Assessment takes place through a final examination to be taken after the end of the lectures. It consists of a non-structured oral examination, focused on the formulation and discussion of problems aimed at applying the tools acquired for the analysis of the apparatuses and plants for the treatment of liquid and gaseous effluents covered in the lectures. The student’s ability to identify the most suitable treatment principle for carrying out an assigned operation and to critically analyse specific design and/or verification conditions will also be assessed.

The dates of the 6 examination sessions of each academic year are established in accordance with the academic calendar and published online at least one month before the scheduled date. To take the exam, registration through “AlmaEsami” is required, in strict compliance with the relevant deadlines.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant University office in good time: the office will propose any adaptations for the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, for approval by the lecturer, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study through further investigation, summaries and self-assessment activities. As far as assessment is concerned, the use of AI during the in-person exam is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Blackboard and PowerPoint presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Maluta