ECTS credits ECTS credits: 4.5
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 4 Expository Class: 14 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 36
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Chemistry Engineering
Areas: Chemical Engineering
Center Higher Technical Engineering School
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The contents of this subject have been configured based on a common knowledge base of conventional water treatment processes, present in a large number of degrees both in Experimental Sciences (Degree/Licenciate in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, etc.) and in Engineering (Degree/Chemical, Civil Engineer, etc.). Thus, a first block of topics is established with general aspects such as characterization of water (urban and industrial), origin, conventional treatment processes and legislative issues including safety and health aspects.
Subsequently, the second block is the central body of the subject, comprising 5 topics where the most important aspects of the most innovative biological reactors used in urban and industrial water treatment plants are studied, using the retention mechanism as study criteria. the biomass (suspension, biofilm or membranes), the redox conditions applied (anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic) or the objective pursued (elimination of organic matter, nutrients), with special emphasis on the concept of hybrid systems.
Finally, the last block presents in a more qualitative way the new ideas that are being developed in the field of wastewater treatment grouped into two points: one related to the reduction of impacts and another towards revaluation strategies that are completely changing the idea classic of wastewater treatment plants.
The focus of the subject will be eminently practical, focusing on the theory classes and problems on the most frequent types of units used based on the criteria pursued, as well as a critical judgment of advantages and disadvantages associated with each technology.
The course program contemplates the possibility of making a technical visit to industrial facilities that would serve to complement the training received in the classroom.
The contents that are developed in the course are articulated around those indicated in the descriptor of the subject included in the study plan of the Master in Environmental Engineering:
• Wastewater: typologies, characterization and treatment objectives
• Unit operations in the processes of potabilization and wastewater treatment.
• Biological reactors
• Innovative treatment technologies
• Ethical, safety and health aspects
The subject program is divided into 3 theory blocks with 9 basic topics, which are detailed below:
Syllabus
Block I. Introduction (8 h)
Unit 1. Characterization of wastewater (4)
Pollution of receiving waters. Classification of wastewater. Flow and contaminant load. Polluting sources: domestic, industrial and agricultural origin. Characteristics of urban wastewater. Wastewater of industrial origin. Rainwater.
Unit 2. Conventional wastewater and drinking water processes (2)
WWTP: Water and sludge line. DWP: Water and sludge line. Main unit operations. Pumping. Pretreatment. Flow homogenization. Degritting and degrease units. Sedimentation. Floatation. Physicochemical processes. Biological reactors. Conventional processes based on activated sludge reactors.
Unit 3. Current objectives and new challenges. Ethical aspects, safety and health (2)
Regulations and objectives of wastewater treatment. Classification of treatments: physical, chemical and biological. New challenges. Safety and health aspects in water treatment plants.
Block II: Biological processes (22 h)
Unit 4. Introduction to bioreactors (4 h)
Introduction. Microbial kinetics. Bioreactors. Mass balances. Technology classification. Suspended biomass systems. Fixed biomass systems. Basis of nutrient removal processes.
Unit 5. Processes based on suspended biomass bioreactors (8 h)
Introduction. Activated sludge processes. Aeration: basis and devices. Nitrogen removal: nitrification/denitrification processes.
Unit 6. Biofilm reactors, membrane bioreactors and hybrid processes (2 h)
Biofilm reactors. Types of membranes. Fouling processes. Types of reactors and processes. Strategies of operation. Case studies. Present challenges.
Unit 7. Anaerobic treatment technologies (8 h)
Basis of anaerobic processes. Factors to be considered in the design and operation of units. Main technologies: AC, UASB, EGSB, AF, IC. Strategies to operate anaerobic reactors. Aplications.
Block III: New perspectives (2 h)
Unit 8. Innovative technologies (1 h)
Conception of innovative technologies. Patents and new designs. Analysis of the main existing technologies in the market and main industrial achievements.
Unit 9. Reduction and recovery strategies in urban wastewater treatment (1 h)
General considerations. Space reduction: i) granular sludge technologies; ii) application of membranes; iii) expanded primary treatment. Reduction of micro-pollutant emissions, gaseous emissions and odors. Water reuse. Nutrient recovery, sludge recovery and energy production.
Basic books
• Guang-Lo Ha C., Van Loosdrecht, M., Ekama, G. Brdjanovic, D. Biological Wastewater Treatment: Principles, modelling and design. 2nd Edition. IWA Publishing. London, UK (2020). Disponible como libro electrónico en B-USC: https://iacobus.usc.gal/permalink/34CISUG_USC/tmlevo/alma99101338386130…
• Metcalf & Eddy Inc. Wastewater Engineering. Treatment and reuse (5ª Ed.) New York: Editorial Mc-Graw Hill Higher Education, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-259-01079-8.
Sinatura ETSE: A213 13 H
Complementary books
• Udo Wiesmann, In Su Choi, Eva-Maria Dombrowski. Fundamentals of Biological Wastewater Treatment. Winheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., 2007. ISBN: 978-3-527-31219-1.
Disponible on-line
• Henze, M., van Loodsdrecht. M.C.M., Ekama, G.A. Brdjanovic, D. Biological Wastewater Treatment: Principles, modelling and design. London: IWA Publishing, 2008.
ISBN: 978-1-843-39188-3
Sinatura ETSE: 213 17
• Judd S. The MBR book (2ª Ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2011. ISBN 978-1-843-39518-8.
Sinatura ETSE: 213 32 A
• Poch, M. y J. M. Lema (Eds) Tecnologías y estrategias para el rediseño de EDAR.
USC: Santiago de Compostela, 2008. ISBN 978-84-691-7741-9.
Sinatura ETSE: 213 45 1
• Speece, R.E. Anaerobic biotechnology for industrial wastewaters.
Nashville: Archae Press, 1996. ISBN 0-9650226-0-9.
Sinatura ETSE: 213 9
• Van Haandel, A.C. and Lettinga, G. Anaerobic sewage treatment.
Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1994. ISBN 0-471-95121-8.
Sinatura ETSE: 213 22
This subject will give to the students a number of general competences, desirable for every universitary study, as well as other more specific ones, more linked to the field of Environmental Engineering. The competences that will be especially developed in this subject are the following:
Basic
• CB6 – to have a knowledge and understanding that provide a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and / or application of ideas, often in a research context
• CB7 - That the students can apply their knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their fields of study.
• CB8 - That students will be able to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgments based on incomplete or limited information, including reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
• CB9 - That students can communicate their conclusions, knowledge and reasons underpinning to specialists and non-specialists in a clear and unambiguous way.
• CB10 - Students must possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
General
• CG1 - Identify and state environmental problems.
• CG3 - Being able to take responsibility for their own professional development and specialization in one or more fields of study.
• CG4 - Apply knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and other natural sciences, obtained through study, experience, and practice, with critical reasoning to establish economically viable solutions to technical problems.
Transversal
• CT 1. Develop capacities associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, knowing how to listen.
• CT 3. Adapt to changes, being able to apply new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments, with initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• CT 4. Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesis capacity.
• CT 5. Prepare, write and publicly defend scientific and technical reports and projects.
• CT 6. Appreciate the value of quality and continuous improvement, acting with rigor, responsibility and professional ethics within the framework of commitment to sustainable development.
Specific
• CE 1. Know how to evaluate and select the appropriate scientific theory and the precise methodology of the field of study of Environmental Engineering to formulate judgments based on incomplete or limited information including, when necessary and pertinent, a reflection on the social or ethical responsibility linked to the solution proposed in each case.
• CE 2. Know in depth the technologies, tools and techniques in the field of environmental engineering to be able to compare and select technical alternatives and emerging technologies
• CE 3. Develop sufficient autonomy to participate in research projects and scientific or technological collaborations within the thematic field of Environmental Engineering, in interdisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a high component of knowledge transfer.
• CE 4. Design products, processes, systems and services of the process industry, as well as the optimization of others already developed, taking the various areas of Environmental Engineering as a technological base.
• CE 8. Address a real Environmental Engineering problem from a scientific-technical perspective, recognizing the importance of searching for and managing existing information and applicable legislation.
Teaching
• Expository and interactive classes: The classes will be carried out combining both the master class (exposition and discussion of topics) and in the form of seminars (exercises) where the teacher will try to emphasize the most outstanding aspects of the state of the art, and where the assimilation of contents by the students will be verified. It is therefore very important that the student work on the material available to promote teacher-student interaction.
• Teamwork: students are planning to do teamwork, which they will present orally in the last tutorial session for the subject.
• Visit to an industrial facility: A visit to a Wastewater Treatment Plant is contemplated as a necessary complement to the indicated topics whenever possible. It is intended to involve the students in the aforementioned visit by carrying out an evaluation through a questionnaire.
• Group Tutorial: There will be a group tutorial focused on the modeling of biological reactors using the Excel spreadsheet.
Telematic teaching
• Individualized tutorials: they will be carried out at the request of the student face-to-face or eventually through the MS Teams platform.
The “Learning Management System” (LMS) of the USC will be used.
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for evaluating student academic performance and grade review will apply.
In this matter, the CE weighting is 50%, with the remaining 50% corresponding to a final test.
The student's grade is a weighted average between the performance of the same in the parts in which the same is evaluated: exam, performance in the classroom (participation, cooperative work) and technical visit.
Activities included in the Continuous Assessment
Continuous Evaluation includes monitoring of the following activities:
• Follow-up questionnaires: 3 short questionnaires (15 min) to be carried out individually.
• Teamwork will consist of a brief presentation (around 3-4' maximum per person) around the presentation of an innovative technology. Quantitative information will be especially valued.
• The group tutorial will be evaluated through a small modeling exercise to be solved in Excel. To be done in teams.
• The technical visit will be evaluated by means of a questionnaire that will be given to the students on the day of the visit, which they will have to complete during the visit and hand in at the end of the visit. To be done individually.
• With "proactive behavior" it is intended to assess the daily attitude of each student, especially: a) shows that the subject and the discussions that take place in the classroom are up to date; b) pertinent comments on what was discussed; c) motivation and positive attitude in class, among others. To be done individually.
Final exam (face-to-face)
• The exam will consist of two well differentiated parts: theory questions and numerical problems to be solved for which a calculator and form can be used. A minimum of 3 out of 10 must be obtained in both parts.
The consideration of "not presented" will be taken if you do not attend any evaluation activity (exam, teamwork or technical visit). If only one of them is not attended, the qualification at the first opportunity will be "failed".
Those who have to attend the second opportunity will keep the qualifications obtained in teamwork, technical visit and proactive behavior in the classroom. If you have not participated in a specific activity, you will have additional questions:
- If they did not participate in the teamwork, questions about innovative technologies will be included.
- If they have not participated in the technical visit, questions about it will be included.
Distribution of the final mark
Continuous assessment 5 points
- Questionnaires 3
- Teamwork 1,5
- Proactivity 0,5
Final exam 5 points
- Theory (mín. 30%) 3
- Problems (mín. 30%) 2
TOTAL 10 points
Competences assessment
• Básics: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB9, CB10
• Generals: CG1,CG3,CG4
• Transversals: CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6
• Specific: CE1, CE2, CE3, CE4, CE8
Their assessment will be done according to:
• Expositive classes: CG1, CB6, CB7, CB8, CB10,
• Interactive classes: CB7, CB8, CB10, CE1, CE4, CE8, CT3, CT4, CT6
• Proactivity: CG1, CB9, CE1
• Teamwork: CG4, CB8, CB9, CE2, CE3, CE8, CT1, CT5
• Technical visit: CG3
• Questionnaires and exams: CB6, CB9, CB10,
This subject has 4,5 ECTS which represents an amount of work distributed as shown in the following table. The number of hours spent in classroom include lectures, seminars, presentation and tutorials for groups. Furthermore, it is estimated that a number of hours corresponding to personal work is necessary for the different activities.
Activity Total hours
Lectures 14
Seminars 18
Teamwork 4
Exam 2
Autonomous work 74,5
Total 112,5 (4,5 ECTS)
Have basic knowledge related to water pollution and conventional wastewater treatment processes. If you need to reinforce them, the teacher can provide materials for that purpose.
It is important that students previously study those texts, documents or articles that are indicated in the teaching guide. It is essential to have a medium command of the English language.
The use of the virtual campus is recommended as the backbone of all the activities to be carried out in the matter.
Recommendations for telematic teaching:
• It is necessary to have a computer with a microphone and camera to carry out the telematic activities that are programmed throughout the course. The acquisition of computers with the MS Windows environment is recommended, since other platforms do not support some of the computer programs available at USC.
• Improve informational and digital skills with the resources available at USC.
El idioma vehicular de la materia será el castellano en consonancia con la decisión estratégica del Máster que definió como fundamental la captación de alumnado procedente de otras comunidades autónomas o países.
Francisco Omil Prieto
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816805
- francisco.omil [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Monday | |||
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| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom A7 |
| 03.11.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 03.11.2025 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.20.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.20.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |