Technical-environmental evaluation of processes

The course "Environmental technical evaluation of processes" aims to introduce students to technical and environmental evaluation tools, generic for any type of process, and in particular applied here to the design and operation of water treatment and drinking water purification processes. For this purpose, and given the complexity of the mathematical models of biological treatment, emphasis will be made on the use of simulation tools to ensure an energetically efficient operation and with a trend towards resource recovery. The approach to the course is eminently practical and is centered on the study of realistic cases and the critical analysis of the results.

1. Tools for the design and technical analysis of wastewater treatment processes. Mathematical models of biological reactors. Structure of biological models (stoichiometry and kinetics).

2. Steady state WWTP simulation. Critical analysis and representation of simulation results. Estimation of necessary resources (energy, chemicals...) for the operation of a WWTP and sludge management. Resource recovery. Introduction to dynamic simulation of WWTP.

3. Regulatory framework for the Environmental assessment of projects and processes in the water sector. Environmental responsibility law. Environmental evaluation law. Environmental management systems and Environmental audits: examples associated to energy efficiency and ecoefficiency.

4. Life-cycle thinking in sustainable water management. Tools: life-cycle assessment and Environmental footprints (carbon footprint and water footprint). Applications to the urban water cycle through case-studies.

Basic

HENZE, M.., VAN LOOSDRECHT, M., EKAMA, G. BRDJANOVIC, D. Biological Wastewater Treatment: Principles, modelling and design. IWA Publishing. London, UK (2008). Libro electrónico gratuito en castellano: https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/707/Tratamiento-biologico-de-aguas-r…

BAUMANN, H., TILLMAN, A.M. The Hitch Hiker´s Guide to LCA. An orientation in life cycle assessment methodology and application. Lund: Editorial Studentlitteratur, 2004. ISBN: 91-44-02364-2


Complementary

METCALF & EDDY Inc. Wastewater engineering: treatment and resource recovery. 5ª ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-259-01079-8

VIDAL, NEUMANN & HOSPIDO (editores). Análisis de ciclo de vida: fundamentos y aplicaciones a la gestión sustentable de los recursos hídricos. Concepción, Chile: Universidad de Concepción, 2022. Biblioteca da Escola Técnica Superior de Enxeñaría A244 55

CON4 Enumerate water treatment systems, both for supplying water to populations or industries, as well as for purification and subsequent restitution to natural environments and reuse of regenerated water. Identify and describe emerging challenges in water treatment.

HAB3 Select and operate innovative treatment systems adapted to different realities, geographical environments and quality requirements, including emerging challenges and the application of green or nature-based treatments. Experiment with pilot water treatment systems.

COM3 Evaluate the performance and suitability of various water treatment proposals. Compare different alternatives. Integrate expert judgment in planning water treatment systems, considering emerging challenges and green solutions.

Lectures: The theoretical contents of the subject will be presented on the basis of lectures with a practical and interactive approach, using participatory tools (e.g. Mentimeter) in order to ensure the involvement of students attending remotely.

Seminar: The interactive seminar sessions will focus on debating the most relevant methodological items (functional unit, system limits, allocation and system expansion…) and in solving practical case studies on the application of the different tools presented throughout the course. In addition, exercises will be carried out to understand the biological reactor models in order to improve the comprehension of the results of the WWTP simulators, which are the basis for the technical analysis.

Computer seminars: The computer room sessions will be aimed at familiarizing the participants with i) the use of environmental assessment tools, including the application to practical cases in spreadsheet and ii) the use of biological treatment plant simulation tools (e.g. Biowin). The simulator will be used to facilitate the evaluation of treatment alternatives and estimate the resources required for operation, as well as the production of streams to be managed (e.g. sludge). Special attention will be given to the critical interpretation of the simulator results.

Group tutoring: This activity consists of a follow-up of the team project of design and holistic evaluation of wastewater treatment process alternatives that will allow a practical and integrated application of the contents of the subject.

Team project: A team project will consist of a design of a wastewater treatment process, the discussion of possible alternatives and a holistic evaluation of its environmental performance, integrating the different contents of the subject.

The learning outcomes are achieved through the work done in the course in the following activities:

Lectures: CON4, HAB3, COM3
Seminars: CON4, HAB3, COM3
Computer seminars: CON4, HAB3, COM3
Group tutoring: COM3

Final exam 40%


Team project, including preparatory activities in the computer seminars 50%

Group tutoring: 10%

In order to pass the course, a minimum grade of 5.0 must be obtained. A minimum of 3.5 (out of 10 points) in the final exam is equally required.
Preparing and submitting the team project is compulsory. An equivalent activity will be proposed for those who take the second opportunity and did not carry out the team project.

Whether the learning outcomes were reached will be evaluated in the following activities:
- Final exam: CON4, HAB3
- Team project: HAB3, COM3
- Group tutoring: COM3

In the case of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Normativa de evaluación del rendimiento académico de los estudiantes y de revisión de calificaciones will be of application

The Master in Sustainable Water Management report assigns a teaching time to the course:

Lectures 9 h

Seminars 6 h

Computer seminars 10 h

Group tutoring 1 h

Autonomous work 47 h

Exam 2 h

As in any course featuring the use of computer tools, it is recommended to critically analyze the results based on the knowledge acquired in other subjects, especially in the compulsory subjects "Innovative processes in potabilization and wastewater treatment" and "Pilot plant experimentation".

Teaching will be given preferably in Spanish, with the possibility of using Galician and English for those students who require it.

The version in Spanish will prevail in case of inconsistency among the versions of this course guide.

Software tool to be used in this course will include Biowin (or similar) and MS Excel (or similar).

Moodle will be used as a communication tool to provide information/announcements about the teaching activity and to provide complementary material.