Environmental Engineering

TOPIC 1. CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS Introduction to the course topics. Principles of mass balance. Stoichiometry and kinetics of chemical reactions (reversible/irreversible reactions, homogeneous/heterogeneous reactions, reaction order) (lectures 1-3, practical exercises 1-2). TOPIC 2. ANALYSIS OF REACTORS Batch reactor model. Continuous flow stirred tank reactor (analysis of response for CFSTR under transient and steady-state conditions, CFSTRs in series, relationship between reaction yield and mean hydraulic residence time). Plug flow reactor (analysis of response for PFR under steady-state conditions). Comparison between reaction yield of CFSTR and PFR. Analysis of non-ideal reactors (pulse and step feeding, residence time distribution function) (lectures 4-8, practical exercises 3-5). TOPIC 3. WASTEWATER CHARACTERIZATION Wastewater. Characterization parameters (Biochemical Oxygen Demand [BOD], Chemical Oxygen Demand [COD], Forms of nitrogen [TKN, ammonia N, organic N, nitrite, nitrate], Solids, Forms of phosphorous. Wastewater characteristics (lectures 11-13, practical exercise 8 [lab]). TOPIC 4. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT Unit operations. Flow equalization. On-line and off-line equalization. Volume requirements. Time-dependant outflow functions. Discrete particles settling. Terminal settling velocity (Newton’s and Stokes’s laws). Overflow rate and evaluation of particle removal yield. Flocculent particles settling. Zone settling. Solids flux model. Analysis of loading conditions for secondary sedimentation basins. Compression settling (lectures 14-17, practical exercise 7). Coagulation and flocculation (lecture 18). Wastewater disinfection (lecture 27). Short overview of unit operations for sludge treatment (lecture 27). TOPIC 5. BIOLOGICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT Biological growth kinetics. Growth rate. Biomass production yield. Monod equation. Substrate utilization rate. Endogenous decay rate. Suspended growth CFSTR without biomass recycle. Mass balances for microrganisms and substrate. Design equations. Suspended growth CFSTR with biomass recycle. Mass balances for microrganisms and substrate. Hydraulic retention time and mean cell residence time. Design equations. Minimum cell residence time. Theoretical oxygen requirements. Economic considerations (lectures 19-25, practical exercises 9-10). Biological nitrification processes. Biological denitrification processes (lecture 26).

To successfully attend the Sanitary and Environmental Engineering module and pass the final exam, basic knowledge of the following subjects is essential: • maths (with specific regard to the limits of functions as well as differential and integral calculus) • physics (with specific regard to the cardinal equations of statics and dynamics as well as the basics of thermodynamics) • chemistry (with specific regard to the stoichiometry of chemical reactions, the concepts of chemical equilibrium in aqueous solutions and specific types of chemical reactions [acid-base, redox reactions]) • fluid mechanics (with specific regard to the basic characteristics of fluids, as well as fluid statics and dynamics) To thoroughly understand the module topics, the knowledge of the basics of biology, biochemistry and ecology is also deemed to be useful. Compulsory preparatory course to access the final exam: Chemistry, Fluid Mechanics

Sirini P., Ingegneria Sanitaria-Ambientale. Principi, teorie e metodi di rappresentazione, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2002 Misiti A., Fondamenti di Ingegneria Ambientale, Nuova Italia Scientifica, Firenze 1994 Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., Ingegneria delle Acque Reflue. Trattamento e Riuso, 5a ed., McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2006 Study material provided by the lecturer Note: the study material supplied by the lecturer is available at the following link (password-restricted access to students registered to the Classroom page of the course [detailed information on the notice board webpage of the lecturer]): https://sites.google.com/uniroma1.it/alessandrapolettini-eng/teaching?authuser=0

The module consists of a combination of lectures and classroom exercises, coupled with one or two laboratory experiences. Upon completion of the module, the student will be required to prepare a technical report on classroom exercises. The knowledge and understanding abilities defined in the module objectives will be mainly acquired through conventional lectures; applying knowledge and understanding will be acquired through both conventional lectures and classroom exercises; soft skills (making judgements and learning skills) will be acquired through the preparation of the final technical report as well as private study.

Attendance to lectures is not compulsory.

The knowledge acquired by the students on the course topics will be evaluated through both mid-term tests (on selected topics during the lecturing period) and a final exam. The latter will involve an oral discussion of the main subjects of the course (as a rule, 3 topics selected by the teacher during the exam), out of which one will be specifically focused on the practical/design projects that are to be submitted in the form of a written report on the day of the exam. The final evaluation will take into account mainly (70-80%) the acquired knowledge and understanding and the ability of their application, and for the remaining 20-30% the demonstrated making judgements abilities and autonomous learning skills. Each of these aspects will be judged on the 3 topics selected by the teacher during the exam.

O. Levenspiel, Chemical Reaction Engineering, John Wiley & Sons Ed. McGraw-Hill M.L. Davis, D.A. Cornwell, Introduction to Environmental Engineering, McGraw-Hill A.S. Foust, L.A. Wenzel, C.W. Clump, L. Maus, L.B. Andersen, I Principi delle operazioni unitarie, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

The module consists of a combination of lectures and classroom exercises, coupled with one or two laboratory experiences. Upon completion of the module, the student will be required to prepare a technical report on classroom exercises. The knowledge and understanding abilities defined in the module objectives will be mainly acquired through conventional lectures; applying knowledge and understanding will be acquired through both conventional lectures and classroom exercises; soft skills (making judgements and learning skills) will be acquired through the preparation of the final technical report as well as private study.