Learning objectives
1°- Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the lessons the student will know the different systems for the disposal of municipal and industrial solid waste, the waste recycling techniques and the different components of the purification plants for waste water of civil and industrial origin. He will understand the technical terminology in the field.
2°- Applying knowledge and understanding
The student will be able to compare the different alternatives for the disposal, recycling and treatment within the Italian regulatory framework. The student will be able to design the plants.
3°- Making judgments
The student will acquire the ability to outline the real problem to find the technically sound and cost-effective design solutions.
4°- Communication skills
On passing the exam, the student should have acquired sufficient proper use of the language with regard to the topic specific terminology.
5°- Learning skills
The student should have acquired the basic knowledge of the discipline that will allow him to learn independently the future developments of the discipline.
Prerequisites
The course develops the basics of Chemistry and Hydraulics that the student should have acquired in the bachelor's degree. Important prerequisite is a course of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering . It is very useful to have acquired adequate knowledge of Environmental Legislation
Course unit content
The course of Environmental and Sanitary Treatment plants is focused on the management of municipal and industrial solid waste, waste recycling and treatment plants of civil and industrial wastewater.
In addition to the analysis of the various techniques used in the above mentioned areas, the issues will be dealt with attention to the design point of view.
Detailed program
Solid waste - Classification of solid waste. Composition, sampling and analysis. Production of MSW. Contribution. Collection. Separate collection. Transport. Transfer stations. Landfills: biochemical processes; leachate; biogas. Heat treatment: incineration plant types; energy recovery, characterization and control of solids residue and gaseous effluents; notes on pyrolysis and gasification. Sorting and recovery: production of compost and refuse derived fuel (RDF), quantity, quality and potential use of recycled products. Legislation.
Wastewater treatment - Definitions. Sampling. Characteristics of wastewater. Setting of the treatment cycle. Screening. Sieving. Grit removal. Oiling. Sedimentation: theory, types and design criteria. Biological treatment: principles of microbiology and biochemistry; aerobic and anaerobic processes, bacterial growth and substrate removal; hydrodynamics of reactors, bio-reactors with and without recirculation cell. Activated sludge processes: sludge loading and volumetric loading, sludge age; calculation of the volume of the reactors, the recirculation flow and oxygen requirements; ventilation systems, calculation of the capacity of oxygenation. Biological ponds. Trickling filters. RBC. Sludge treatment: aerobic and anaerobic digestion; types and sizing criteria, production and recovery of biogas. Thickening. Sludge dewatering: drying beds, mechanical dewatering, conditioning. Final disposal of sludge. Biological nitrogen removal. Chemical removal of phosphorus. Disinfection. Imhoff tanks. Legislation.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Recommended books:
Tchobanoglous G., Theisen H., Vigil A., Integrated Waste Management, McGraw-Hill
Additional books:
A.MISITI. "Fondamenti di Ingegneria Ambientale", La Nuova Italia Scientifica, 1995.
Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., Ingegneria delle Acque Reflue: Trattamento e Riuso, 5a ed., Mc-Graw-Hill, Milano, 2006
Additional educational material
Lecture notes provided to the students
Teaching methods
The course consists of a series of lectures and numerical exercises. The lessons will be carried out using Power Point presentations. The exercises are presented and carried out numerically in the classroom.
Assessment methods and criteria
For students who attend regularly, the exam consists in a practical test and an interview.
The practical test deals with the preparation of a project that involves one of the following two areas:
- Recovery of waste at a company
- Treatment of sewage water of a company
In the interview, the student must present the project through a Power Point presentation.
The evaluation of the different learning components will be weighted as: 70% for the practical test with attention to the identification of the most convenient procedure of solution (Making judgments), 30% for oral exposure for the correct use of the technical language (Communication skills).
For students who do not attend regularly, the exam consists, again, of a practical test and an interview.
The practical test consists of the preparation of a project that involves one of the following two areas:
- Recovery of waste at a company
- Treatment of sewage water of a company
In the interview, the student must demonstrate that he has a thorough understanding of the topics covered in the lessons of the course.
The evaluation of the different learning components will be weighted as: 60% for the practical test with attention to the identification of the most convenient procedure of solution (Making judgments), 40% for the interview with attention to the knowledge of the different disposal systems of solid waste, recycling techniques and the different components of the water treatment plants (Knowledge and understanding) and the proper use of the technical language (Communication skills).
Other information
Lecture attendance is highly recommended
