Objectives and method

Pedagogic objectives: The main objective of this unit is to present key technologies for the treatment of water and wastewater, gaseous emissions and solid waste, focusing on wastewater treatment plants as an example of a system that integrates not only wastewater treatment, but also gas emissions and solid waste treatment processes.

Knowledge and skills to be developed: At the end of the curricular unit students must have learned to identify the main problems and be familiar with the technologies pertaining to solid waste management, water / wastewater and emissions, should be able to identify the main sources of pollution, and should understand the mode of operation of each of the treatment technologies presented during the course, identifying key parameters that influence these processes. These technologies are approached from the vantage point of resource recovery, reuse and reincorporation.

This unit comprises lectures, theoretical-practical and practical classes, and field trips. In the lectures the basic concepts about the different treatment processes are presented. These concepts are applied in solving exercises in practical classes. In laboratory classes students are faced with the operation of different treatment systems, encompassing biological processes monitoring. Field trips are also made so that students are aware of the use of the technologies presented during lectures in a real context.

Syllabus

Lectures

• Water and wastewater: water and wastewater characterization; preliminary and primary treatment; biological treatment; tertiary treatment; odours and sludge treatment
• Gas emissions: main air pollutants, different types of gas emissions and treatment technologies
• Solid waste: management and technological solutions (i.e., landfills, composting and incineration)

Theoretical-practical classes

Understanding the analytical parameters used for water and wastewater characterization (examples: TSS, VSS, BOD, COD); parameters required for bioreactors operation; basic calculations for designing biological treatment operational units; main applications, advantages and disadvantages of technologies used for the treatment of water and wastewater, sludge and odours.  

Laboratory work

Water and wastewater characterization; operation and monitoring of aerobic and anaerobic treatment processes.

Field trip

Visits to a municipal wastewater treatment plant and to a water treatment plant.