| Module Title: | Waste Treatment and Sustainable Energy |
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| Language of Instruction: | English |
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| Teaching & Learning Strategies: |
This module will be taught as a 3 hour theory class for thirty weeks and a total of 10 three-hour practical sessions across the year will be used to support this material. This module will be supported by site visits, independent learning such as guided reading, assignments and presentation on selected topics. The emphasis will be on the analysis and critique of the material and learning from peers.
To encourage independent and active learning students will be required to access material via Blackboard or guided reading in advance of class, practicals and site visits.
Following site visits/practicals student will be required to submit reports in an agreed format in a timely fashion to develop time management and report writing skills.
The Blackboard ,Digital Recourses such as Youtube, Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) and the National Digital Learning Repository will be used as applicable
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| Module Aim: |
To explore the principles underpinning modern Chemical and Biological Waste treatment, clean technologies and sustainable energy |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to: |
| LO1 |
Discuss the current chemical and biological technologies available for the treatment of commercial, municipal and agriculture waste |
| LO2 |
Discus the maintenance of microbial water quality in the light of current legislation. |
| LO3 |
Discuss the role of microorganisms in the degradation of organic pollutants . |
| LO4 |
Describe and evaluate the role of environmental biotechnology and in bioremediation, clean technologies and sustainable energy provision |
| LO5 |
Have an appreciation of the engineering aspects of waste management. |
| LO6 |
Demonstrate chemical strategies for the management of industrial waste. |
| LO7 |
Demonstrate a knowledge of the legal framework (to include EU directives and national regulations) for the safe disposal of wastes. |
| LO8 |
Discuss source reduction and clean technologies as a waste management strategy |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
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| No recommendations listed |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. |
| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Biological Strategies: Fundamental concepts of environmental microbiology.
Fundamental concepts of environmental microbiology. Biogeochemical cycles of matter. Xenobiotic, hazardous and recalcitrant wastes in the environment. Diversity of microbial metabolism. Aerobic, Anaerobic metabolism, fermentation, co-metabolism.
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Biological Strategies: Overview of current waste legislation.
Overview of current waste legislation. Anaerobic and aerobic waste treatment of municipal, agricultural and commercial liquid and solid waste. Suspended cell and fixed film systems. Bioreactors. Constructed wetlands. Biodegradation of solid waste, landfill and composting
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Biological Strategies:Water Legislation
Water legislation and microbial water quality, public health concerns emerging problems
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Biological Strategies: Biodegradation theory.
Biodegradation theory. Factors that determine the effectiveness of biodegradation of organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment. Degradative pathways for the biodegradation of hydrocarbons, recalcitrant, xenobiotics and hazardous wastes
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Biological Strategies: In situ and ex situ bioremediation of soils and water
In situ and ex situ bioremediation of soils and water. Strategies for the clean up of contaminated sites, in situ and ex situ technologies, phytoremediation.
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Biological Strategies: Biotechnology and sustainable technologies.
Biotechnology and sustainable technologies. Microbial production of fine and bulk chemicals , plastics and polymers, Industrial processes and clean technologies
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Biological Strategies: Biological energy sources
Biological energy sources, Biogas production, bio diesel, ethanol and hydrogen.Biogas generation. Natural resource recovery
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Physicochemical strategies: Introduction to chemical treatment systems for air, water and solids
Physicochemical strategies: Introduction to chemical treatment systems for air, water and solids. pH adjustment and control Precipitative removal of metal ions by pH adjustment. Complexing agents.
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Physicochemical strategies: Chemical oxidation and reduction.
Physicochemical strategies: Chemical oxidation and reduction. Organochlorines, advanced oxidation treatments. Chemical reduction. Hydrogen peroxide, hydrazine and other reductants.
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Physicochemical strategies: Electrochemical processes, reactor design
Electrochemical processes, reactor design. Metal recovery. Electrochemical oxidation. Ion-exchange media. Reactors and utilities waste. Particulates, vapours and liquid wastes in industrial streams. Catalysts. Low energy emulsification
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Physicochemical strategies: VOCs
VOCs. Microemulsions. Polymer synthesis stability and degradation.
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Physicochemical strategies: Contaminated sites
Contaminated sites. Contamination of land. Soils. Clays and other silicates. Cation exchange capacity. Humic and fulvic acids. Electrochemical remediation of land.
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Physicochemical strategies: Clean technologies and legal framework.
Clean technologies and legal framework. BATNEEC, BAT, IPC, end of pipe treatments. Legislation. Pollution acts. Source reduction and clean technologies. Case studies.
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Physicochemical strategies: Introduction to energy from natural sources
Introduction to energy from natural sources: solar, wind and tidal.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Continuous Assessment | 10.00% |
| Practical | 20.00% |
| End of Module Formal Examination | 70.00% |
| Special Regulation |
| Students must achieve a minimum grade (35%) in both the practical/CA and final examination. |
| Continuous Assessment |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Other |
Practical reports, and specific assignments |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
10.00 |
n/a |
| Practical |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Practical/Skills Evaluation |
Practical reports, and specific assignments |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
20.00 |
Sem 1 End |
| End of Module Formal Examination |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Formal Exam |
No Description |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
70.00 |
End-of-Semester |
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
30 Weeks per Stage |
3.00 |
| Laboratory |
30 Weeks per Stage |
1.00 |
| Estimated Learner Hours |
30 Weeks per Stage |
2.00 |
| Total Hours |
180.00 |
Module Delivered In
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