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: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
The Environmental Processes and Circular Economy subject has a direct link with those that make up the "Basics" module of the Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, as well as with other subjects of the Master's degree that use the balances of matter and energy and the principles of the circular economy.
Name
Subject: Environmental Processes and Circular Economy
Type: Compulsory
Course: 1st year of the Official Master in Environmental Engineering.
Nº of credits: 4,5 ECTS
Module: Bases
Faculty
Gumersindo Feijoo Costa
Dept. of Chemical Engineering
Telephone: 881816776
e-mail: gumersindo.feijoo [at] usc.gal (gumersindo[dot]feijoo[at]usc[dot]gal)
The main objective of this subject is to introduce students to the concept of life cycle philosophy and its relationship with the SDGs and the Circular Economy. In both cases, knowledge of the material and energy flows of the products/processes/services involved is essential; a prior parameter for making decisions of a technological (improvements in design, definition of two operating parameters, etc.), economic (increasing the efficiency and productivity of the systems), environmental (reduction of emissions, minimisation strategies, etc.) and social (definition of health and safety aspects in the workplace, reduction of harmful effects for workers, etc.) nature.
The contents developed in the related course are those contemplated in the descriptor of the subject in the syllabus of the Official Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering: "Life Cycle Philosophy. Sustainable Development Goals. Circular economy paradigm. Systematisation of flow diagrams. Material balances. Heat, total and mechanical energy balances". The programme of the subject consists of the following topics:
Block I. Sustainability: Principles and Bases
Topic 1. Life Cycle Philosophy. Background. Key aspects in the definition of life cycle philosophy. History of things. Sustainable Development Goals. Agenda 2030.
Theme 2. Circular Economy. Fundamentals. Multi-R System. Circular Economy Strategies. Business models.
Block II Balances of Matter and Energy
Topic 3. Balances of matter. General formulation of the balance equation. Macroscopic balance of matter equation. Balances of matter in systems without and with chemical reaction.
Energy balances. Formulation of the macroscopic energy balance. Application to systems with and without chemical reaction.
Mechanical energy balance. Bernouilli's equation. Incompressible fluid flow: Fanning's equation. Fluid flow through pipes.
Specific objectives
In the first block, the general aspects of environmental management are presented, considering both process and product-oriented analysis, and defining a precautionary and preventive approach to production and service processes from a life cycle perspective. The concept of Circular Economy is also introduced together with the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda by the UN in 2015.
The second block focuses on material and energy balances for the quantification of input and output flows to a given system. This system can be as simple as an air conditioning unit, or as complex as an ecosystem. Carrying out the balances involves solving systems of linear or non-linear equations, where from a limited number of data we have to formulate different "balances" or "equations" between the various lines of flow, which lead us to obtain the values of the problem variables of each "system".
The activities to be developed by the students are:
Resolution of a series of problem reports to be dealt with in the classroom.
The students will be given, throughout the course of the subject, a real problem that they will have to solve as a team in order to be evaluated.
Basic bibliography
Feijoo, G., Lema, J.M., Moreira, M.T. Mass Balances for Chemical Engineers. Amsterdam: De Gruyter. 2020: ISBN (E-book): 978-3-11-062431-1. Código BETSE: A110 29
Feijoo, G., Moreira, M.T. Análisis de ciclo de vida y huella de carbono. Casos prácticos. Research Gate, 2020. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11030.50240/1. Código: Acceso abierto
Complementary bibliography
Oloman, C. Material and Energy Balances for Engineers and Environmentalists. London: Imperial College Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-84816-368-3. Código BETSE: A200 30
Vence, X. Economía circular transformadora y cambio sistémico : retos, modelos y políticas. Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2023. ISBN: 978-8437508184. Código BUSC: Q5 985
Basic
- CB6.- Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
- CB7. That students know how to apply their acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
- CB8. That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgements on the basis of incomplete or limited information, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
- CB9. That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
- CB10. That students possess the learning skills that will enable them to continue studying in a largely self-directed or autonomous manner.
General
- GC1. Identify and state environmental problems.
- GC5. Carry out appropriate research, undertake design and direct the development of engineering solutions in new or unfamiliar environments, relating creativity, originality, innovation and technology transfer.
- CG7 Direct and manage the organisation of work and human resources applying criteria of industrial safety, quality management, occupational risk prevention, sustainability and environmental management (good practices).
Transversals
- CT1. Develop skills associated with teamwork: cooperation, leadership, listening skills.
- CT4. Demonstrate critical and self-critical reasoning, analytical and synthesis skills.
Specific
- CE1. Know how to evaluate and select the appropriate scientific theory and the precise methodology of the field of study of Environmental Engineering in order to formulate judgements based on incomplete or limited information, including, when necessary and relevant, a reflection on the social or ethical responsibility linked to the solution proposed in each case.
- CE4. Design products, processes, systems and services of the process industry, as well as the optimisation of others already developed, taking the different areas of Environmental Engineering as a technological basis.
- CE5. Conceptualise engineering models, apply innovative methods in problem solving and appropriate computer applications for the design, simulation, optimisation and control of processes and systems.
- CE8. Approach a real environmental engineering problem from a scientific-technical perspective, recognising the importance of the search for and management of existing information and applicable legislation.
- CE11. Identify actions in the field of the circular economy, defining the options within the new business models.
The methodology of the subject is based fundamentally on case studies, with lectures and face-to-face seminars. These classes will be supported by the use of presentations in MS Power-Point and MS Excel. A maximum of 10% of the hours may be taught telematically.
The Learning Management System and MS Teams applications will be used as communication tools with students.
Relationship between teaching methodologies and the development of competences:
- Lectures:CB6, CB7, CE1, CE11
- Seminars: CB6, CB7, CB8, CB10, CG1, CG5, CT1, CT4, CE4, CE5, CE8
- Tutorials:CB9, CE1, CE4, CE8
Evaluation by activities:
- Real problem solving (in a team): 60%.
- On-site exam: 40%.
Students who do not obtain a minimum of 3 points out of 10 in the exam will not pass the subject. The exam will consist of the resolution of 1 practical case study for which they will be able to use the spreadsheets developed in class, as well as the tables and complementary material.
Assessment by competences:
- Real problem: CB6, CB7, CB10, CG1, CG5, CG7, CT1, CT4, CE4
- Examination: CB7, CT4, CE8
In case of fraudulent exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for the Evaluation of Students' Academic Performance and for the Review of Grades shall apply.
The subject has a workload of 4.5 ECTS, with 1 ECTS credit corresponding to 25 hours of total work, distributed as follows:
Activity Classroom hours Personal work TOTAL
Theory 14,0 12,5 26,5
Seminars 18,0 41,0 59,0
Compulsory tutorials 4.0 9.0 9.0 13.0
Examination 2.0 12.0 14.0
TOTAL 38.0 74.5 112.5
Students enrolling in this subject must have a basic knowledge of linear algebra and mathematical analysis, chemistry and physics. In addition, they should have user-level knowledge of Excel.
It is also advisable for the student to have a series of additional knowledge of English at reading level and knowledge of computer applications at user level (Word, use of e-mail, consultation of web pages).
Laptop computers will be used in an important way in the course, as many of the practical cases require computer applications as a support element.
In addition, documentation from open science portals such as The Conversation and GCiencia will be used.
The language of the subject will be Spanish, in line with the strategic decision of the Master's programme to attract students from outside the autonomous community.
Gumersindo Feijoo Costa
Coordinador/a- Department
- Chemistry Engineering
- Area
- Chemical Engineering
- Phone
- 881816776
- gumersindo.feijoo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Tuesday | |||
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| 12:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom A7 |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom A7 |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom A7 |
| Friday | |||
| 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Galician | Classroom A7 |
| 11.12.2024 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 11.12.2024 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.16.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Classroom A7 |
| 06.16.2025 09:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom A7 |