Advanced WWTP simulation and design

The course " Advanced WWTP simulation and design" aims to introduce students to the design i) of pretreatment units, primary treatment of WWTP, as well as secondary settling units, usually governed by hydraulics and ii) to the design of biological systems, where the biological reaction usually limits the dimensions of the treatment unit. Much of the wastewater flow in the water line occurs by gravity, so students will be familiarized with the concept of "head loss", providing information on recommended head loss ranges between water line units. With respect to biological treatment, the current requirements to ensure an energy efficient operation, with a trend towards resource recovery and environmental friendliness, resulted in WWTPs characterized by multiple interlinked biological processes. Given the complexity of mathematical models of biological treatment, the ability to use computer tools and in particular wastewater treatment simulators is a necessity in water treatment engineering. With a pragmatic approach and focused on the study of real cases, students are introduced to the possibilities of commercial simulators, their use and the analysis and interpretation of simulation results.

Unit 1. Sizing of the treatment units. Units limited by hydraulics. Units limited by pollutant load. Sizing based on empirical criteria. Hydraulic profile. Allowable head losses between process units (4h)

Unit 2. Biological reactors: modeling and design assisted by simulators. Structure of biological models (stoichiometry and kinetics). Selection and use in commercial simulator of the most relevant activated sludge models. The Activated Sludge Model 1 (ASM1). (4 hours)

Unit 3. Steady state WWTP simulation. Critical analysis and representation of simulation results. Simple estimates of resources needed (energy, chemicals...) and of oxygen requirements and sludge production. (8 hours)

Unit 4. Dynamic simulation of WWTP. Most common scenarios: Temporal changes in the influent in dry and wet weather and during storm events. (2 hours)

Computer seminars on case studies and comparison of process alternatives (4 hours).

Basic

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). Available as digital book at the USC library:
https://iacobus.usc.gal/permalink/34CISUG_USC/tmlevo/alma99101338386130…

Electronic first version available as:
HENZE, M.., VAN LOOSDRECHT, M., EKAMA, G. BRDJANOVIC, D. Biological Wastewater Treatment: Principles, modelling and design. IWA Publishing. London, UK (2008). Signatura B-ETSE: La213 17. 17. (Free e-book in Spanish: https://iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/707/Tratamiento-biologico-de-aguas-r…)

METCALF & EDDY Inc. Wastewater engineering: treatment and resource recovery. 5ª ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-259-01079-8 (A213 13 H1, H2, I1, I2, J1, J2, K1, K2)

DÍAZ, M. “Ecuaciones y cálculos para el tratamiento de aguas”. Madrid: Paraninfo, 2019. ISBN: 84-283-4152-4. (A213 63 (La))

Complementary

ECKENFELDER, W. Wesley. Industrial Water Pollution Control 3ª ed. Boston: Mc-Graw Hill Book Company, 1999. ISBN: 0-07-116275-5 (A213 39)

HENZE, M, GUJER, W., MINO, T., VAN LOOSDRECHT, M. Activated Sludge Models ASM1, ASM2, ASM2d and ASM3. IWA Publishing, 2006. ISBN: 9781780402369 (eBook). ISBN: 9781900222242 (Print) (A 213 4 9 )

METCALF & EDDY Inc. Ingeniería de aguas residuales. Tratamiento, vertido y reutilización. 3ª ed. Madrid: Mc-Graw Hill, D.L. 2000. ISBN: 84-481-1607-0 (A213 13 La, B)

Handbooks

GARRIDO, JUAN M.. Simulación de plantas de lodos activos “Activated Sludge Model” número-1. Dpto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela

The student will develop the following competences that appear in the Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering study plan:

Basic and General

CB 6. Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
CB 7. That students know how to apply the acquired knowledge and problem solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
CB 8. That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
CB 9. That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the ultimate knowledge and reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
CB 10. That students possess the learning skills that will allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GC 1. Identify and state environmental problems.
CG 4. 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 skills associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, listening skills.
CT 3. Adapt to changes, being able to apply new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments, with initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.
CT 4. Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesizing skills.
To prepare, write and publicly defend scientific and technical reports and projects.

Specific

CE 1. Know how to evaluate and select the adequate 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. To 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. To design products, processes, systems and services of the process industry, as well as the optimization of others already developed, taking as a technological basis the different areas of Environmental Engineering.
CE 5. Conceptualize engineering models, apply innovative methods in problem solving and appropriate computer applications for the design, simulation, optimization and control of processes and systems.
CE 8. Approach a real Environmental Engineering problem from a scientific-technical perspective, recognizing the importance of the search and management of the existing information and the applicable legislation.
CE 9. Possess the skills of autonomous learning to maintain and improve the competences of Environmental Engineering that allow the continuous development of the profession.

The competences are developed throughout each of the activities carried out during the course, according to the attached list:

Lectures: CB6, CG1, CG4, CT4, CE1, CE2
Computer seminars: CB7, CB10, CG1, CG4, CT1, CT3, CE1, CE2, CE4, CE5
Oral presentation: CB9, CT1, CT5
Team project: CB10, CG4, CT1, CE5, CE8, CE9
Tutorial: CB8, CE1, CE8

Lectures: 4 sessions are foreseen where the basics of equipment design based on hydraulics (pretreatments, primary and tertiary treatments) as well as the basics of design of biological reactors for secondary treatment will be presented in a succinct way.

Computer seminars: Computer seminars will aim to present the basic structure of biological treatment models and their application by computer. Emphasis will be on the use of spreadsheet (e.g. MS Excel) and a biological wastewater treatment plant simulator (e.g. Biowin). The biological wastewater treatment plant simulator will be used to facilitate the evaluation of treatment alternatives, sizing of units and design of simple controllers. Special attention will be given to the critical interpretation of the simulator results.

Team project: small teams (2-3 people) will be formed to apply the knowledge acquired in the course to present process alternatives and design a real WWTP, with the design criteria and objectives indicated by the teaching team. Part of the seminar sessions in the computer classroom will be dedicated to the realization of this project with the supervision of the professor. This project will be presented by means of an oral presentation.

Group tutorials: This activity is associated with the team project of design and selection of alternatives. In addition to the 4 hours of computer seminars, the group tutoring will serve, among others, as an intermediate review of the work, the sharing of the difficulties encountered and the most common doubts. The students would previously deliver a summary indicating the progress and problems encountered in the realization of the team work.

The realization of tutorials at the request of the students will be carried out both in person and using the MS Teams application.

The Learning Management System based on Moodle and MS Teams will be used as communication tools between teachers and students, using the Learning Management System to make available to the students the laboratory scripts, the computer classroom and complementary materials.

All the classroom hours associated to each activity of the subject will be face-to-face.

Final exam 30%

Oral presentation of the team Project 30% (evaluation by peers and teaching team)

Team project 30%

Group tutorial: 10%

In order to pass the subject, it is necessary to obtain a minimum grade of 5.0, obtaining a minimum grade of 35% both in the grade associated with the exam activity and in the mandatory group tutoring. If this minimum is not obtained, the maximum qualification that could be obtained would be fixed at 4.9 failing grade.

If it is detected that any assignments or tests were carried out in a fraudulent manner by the students, the document "Regulations for assessment of the academic performance of the students and for revision of marks" ("Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudiantes e de revisión das cualificacións") will be applied.

The study plan of the Master in Environmental Engineering assigns a teaching load to the subject:
Lectures 4 h
Sessions in the computer classroom 18 h
Group tutoring 2 h
Autonomous work of the student 49 h
Exam 2 h
Total 75 h of student work (3 ECTS) , face-to-face hours with the professor (except exam) 24 h.

It is recommended that students have previously studied the subject "Environmental Modeling" and that they actively participate in the course "Water Treatment Technology", of this same module
Recommendations for telematic teaching:
- It is necessary to have a computer with microphone and camera for the realization of the telematic activities that are programmed throughout the course.
- Improve informational and digital skills with the resources available in the USC

This course will be preferably in Spanish or alternatively in Galician. English will be used for those students who may require it.
The Learning Management System will be used as a tool to provide information/announcements about the teaching activity throughout the course and complementary materials for the study of the subject. MS Teams will also be used for synchronous non face-to-face teaching.
If there is any discrepancy between the versions of this guide in different languages, the version in Galician will prevail.