411-448 Biochemical/Environmental Engineering 2

411-335 Biochemical/Environmental Engineering 1B or 421-210 Environmental Engineering Basics (students who have completed 421-210 but not 411-355 are advised to undertake some preliminary reading in basic microbiology prior to commencing the subject).

Students successfully completing this subject should have a broad understanding of the nature of waste streams, the principles underlying their treatment, and the important processes used to treat a variety of domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes. In addition they will have gained an understanding of the more important physical, chemical and biological techniques used in the process design of a variety of waste treatment systems. They will also have gained practical experience in the operation of a bench scale activated sludge unit and the common assay procedures used to evaluate its performance.

Contents: The characteristics of liquid and solid wastes and the objectives of waste treatment; important waste assay procedures; primary, secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment processes; physical and chemical treatment processes for both liquid and solid wastes; biological waste treatment and the role of various microbial groups: anaerobic, facultative, aerobic and aerated lagoons and factors affecting their design; activated sludge and related processes; adherent growth processes and associated design considerations; biological and physico-chemical removal of nitrogen and phosphorus; anaerobic processes and their use in liquid and solid waste treatment; treatment and disposal of biosolids; recycling and reuse of wastes; life cycle analysis, sustainability and cleaner production.

• ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline

• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

One written 3-hour end-of-semester examination (70%); a written 1-hour mid-semester test (15%); a 2000-word practical report due two weeks after the second of two laboratory sessions (15%). An overall mark of 50% and a mark of 40% or more in the end of semester examination are needed to pass the subject.