FE Review for

Environmental
Engineering
Problems, problems, problems
Presented by L.R. Chevalier, Ph.D., P.E.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

FE Review for Environmental Engineering

CHEMICAL FOUNDATIONS

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Calculate the molecular weight,

equivalent weight, molarity and
normality of the following:
a. 200 mg/L HCl
b. 150 mg/L H2SO4
c. 100 mg/L Ca(HCO3)2

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Use periodic table to get molecular

weight
Convert mg/L to mol/L
Determine n for each compound
Apply equations
EW = MW/n
N = Mn

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

a ) 200 mg / L HCl

in an Acid/Base reaction, n
is the # of hydrogen ions that
a molecule transfers

MW (1) 35.45 36.45 g mol

EW 36.45 g equivalent
200 mg L
molarity
0.00549M
mg
g
(1000 g ) 36.45 mol
normality 0.00549 1 0.00549 N

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

b) 150 mg / L H 2 SO4
MW 21 32.06 416 98.06 g mol
EW 98.06 / 2 49.03 g eq
150 mg L
molarity
0.00153M
mg
g
(1000 g ) 98.06 mol
normality 0.00153 2 .00306 N

Proble
m

Strateg
y

c) 100 mg / L Ca HCO3 2

Solutio
n
in a precipitation reaction, n is
the valence of the element

MW 40 2(1) 212 616 162 g mol

EW 81 g eq
100 mg L
molarity
0.000617 M
mg
g
(1000 g )162 mol
normality 0.000617 2 .00123N

Example

Solution

Convert 200 mg/L HCl to ppm

Example

Solution

200 mg/L = 200 ppm

Proble
m

Strateg
y

a) Convert 300 ppm Mg

Solutio
n
2+

to mg/L as CaCO3

b) Convert 30 mg/L Mg2+ as CaCO3 to mg/L

Note: MW Mg2+ is 24.31 g/mol

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Determine the molecular weight of the species

Determine n
Equate EW=MW/n
Apply equation

mg
mg
50

as CaCO3
as species
EW

L
L
species

Proble
m

Strateg
y

a) Convert 300 ppm Mg

Solutio
n
2+

to mg/L as CaCO3

300 ppm = 300 mg/L

EW Mg2+ = 24.31/2 = 12.16 g/eq
(300)(50/12.16) = 1233.55 mg/L as CaCO3

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

b) Convert 30 mg/L Mg2+ as CaCO3 to mg/L

(30 mg/L as CaCO3)(12.16/50) = 7.3 mg/L

Example

Solution

Balance the following chemical equations:

CaCl2 + Na2CO3CaCO3 + NaCl
C6H12O6 + O2 CO2 + H2O
NO2+H2O HNO3 + NO

Example

Solution

CaCl2 + Na2CO3CaCO3 + 2NaCl

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O
3NO2+H2O 2HNO3 + NO

Example

Solution

What is the pH if [H+] = 10-3?

pH = 3

What is the pOH if [OH-] = 10-8?

pOH = 8

What is the pH if [OH-] = 10-8?

pH = 14 - 8 = 6

What is the [H+] if [OH-] = 10-5?

[H+]=105-14 = 10-9 mol/L

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Derive a proof that in a neutral

solution, the pH and the pOH are
both equal to 7.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Evaluate the governing equation

OH K w 10 14 @ 25 C

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

OH H
H OH H H H

10

14

7
H

10

pH 7

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Find the hydrogen ion

concentration and hydroxide ion
concentration in tomato juice
having a pH of 4.1

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Review how to convert

[H+]=10-pH
10-4.1 mol/L = 7.94 x 10-5 mol/L

Review governing equation

H OH K

10

14

@ 25 C

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

H 10

4.1

pH

10

7.94 10 mol / L

14
H
OH

10

OH

10 14
10 14

5
7
.
94

10
H

1.25 10 10 mol / L
...... end of example

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

What percentage of total

ammonia (i.e. NH3 + NH4+) is
present as NH3 at a pH of 7? The
pKa for NH4+ is 9.3.
NH 4 H NH 3
K a 10

9.3

NH 3 H

NH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

The problem is asking:

NH 3
100

NH 3 NH 4
However, this expression has two unknowns.
Therefore, we need a second equation.

?????

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

The problem is asking:

NH 3
100

NH 3 NH 4
Second Equation

K a 10

9.3

NH 3 H

NH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

K a 10
K a 10

9.3

9.3

Solutio
n

NH 3 H

NH

NH 10

NH

Recall, pH=7
means
[H] = 10-7

Proble
m

K a 10
Therefore:

Strateg
y

9.3

Solutio
n

NH 3 10

NH

NH 200 NH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

NH 3
100

NH 3 NH 4

NH 3

100%
NH 3 200 NH 3
0.5%

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Consider the problem of removing

nitrogen from municipal wastewater
Remove nitrogen to prevent the
stimulation of algae growth
Prevent excessive nitrate [NO3-] level in
drinking water from causing a
potentially lethal condition in babies
known as methemoglobinemia

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

One way to remove is a process

known as ammonia stripping
When organic matter decomposes,
nitrogen is first released in the form of
ammonia
NH3 - low solubility in water (ammonia)
NH4+ - highly soluble in water
ion)
(ammonium
NH H NH
4

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

By driving the equilibrium toward the right,

less soluble gas is formed and encouraged to
leave the solution and enter air stream in a
gas stripping tower.
This technique has been adapted for use in
removing VOCs (volatile organic chemicals)
from groundwater.
How can the reaction be driven to the
formation of ammonia (NH3)?
Need to decrease [H+] or increase the pH.

NH 4 H NH 3

Ka

NH
H
9 .3
3
10

NH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Highly
Soluble

Low
Solubility

NH H NH 3
Ka

NH

H
9 .3
3
10

NH

Want to consider
[NH3]/[NH4+]
Should we decrease
this or increase this?

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Highly
Soluble

Low
Solubility

NH H NH 3
Ka

NH

H
9 .3
3
10

NH

Increase it.
How can we do this?

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Highly
Soluble

Low
Solubility

NH H NH 3
K a 10

9 .3

NH 3 H

NH

Reduce [H+]
Increase pH.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

We want to derive an equation with pH

as an independent variable.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Lets start here:

K a 10

9.3

NH 3 H

NH 3

NH
4

NH
10

pH

10 9.3
NH 3 10 9.3 pH

Proble
m

Ka

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

NH
H
9.3
3
10

NH 3

NH
4

NH
10

pH

10 9.3
NH 3 10 9.3 pH

NH 3

NH 3
fraction
NH 3 NH 4

Proble
m

NH 3

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

NH 3
fraction

NH 3 NH 4

NH 3

NH 3 NH 3 10 9.3 pH
1

9.3 pH
1 10

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1 .00

Fraction NH

0.80
0.60
0.40
0.2 0
0.00
0

8
pH

----- end of example.

10

12

14

Summary Of Example
Problem

Nitrogen, in the form of ammonia (NH3) is

removed chemically from the water by raising the
pH
This converts ammonium ion (NH4+) into ammonia
NH3 is then stripped from the water by passing
large quantities of air through the water

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

A sample of water at pH 10 has

32.0 mg/L of carbonate and 56.0
mg/L of bicarbonate ion. Find the
alkalinity as CaCO3.

Proble
m
1.
2.
3.
4.

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Determine the MW of HCO3- and CO3-2

Determine the EW of HCO3- and CO3-2
Convert the concentrations of HCO3- , CO3-2, H+ and OHto mg/L as CaCO3
Add the concentrations in mg/L as CaCO3 of HCO3- , CO3-2,
and OH-, and subtract H+

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

2
3

CO : MW 60, n 2, EW 30

HCO : MW 61, n 1, EW 61
Now we need to convert to mg/L CaCO3

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

CO32 (32.0 mg L ) 50 30 53.3 mg L as CaCO3

HCO (56.0 mg L ) 50 61 45.9 mg L as CaCO3

H 5 10 6 mg L as CaCO3
OH 5.0 mg L as CaCO3
Alkalinity 53.3 45.9 5 104.2
I will leave it up to you to
check calculations for H+ and OH-

mg

as CaCO3

...... end of problem

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

The solubility product for the dissociation

of
Mg(OH)2 is 9 x 10-12. Determine the
concentration of Mg2+ and OH- at
equilibrium.

Proble
m
1.
2.
3.

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Write the equation for the reaction

Write the solubility product equation
Recognize from Eqn. 1 the relationship between the
number of moles of Mg2+ and the number of moles of
OH- resulting from the dissociation of Mg(OH)2, and
how this relates to Eqn 2

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. Write the equation for the reaction.

Mg OH 2 Mg

2OH

2. The solubility product equation is:

Mg OH
2

9 10

12

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

3. If x is the amount of Mg2+ resulting from the dissociation is

given as x, then the amount of OH- is equal to 2x.

x 2 x 9 10 12
2

4 x 9 10
3

12

x 1.3 10 moles / L Mg
2 x 2.6 10 4 moles / L OH
.....end of example

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Magnesium is removed from an

industrial waste stream by
hydroxide precipitation at a pH =
10. Determine the solubility of
Mg2+ in pure water at 25 C and
pKsp of 10.74.

Mg OH 2 s Mg

2OH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. Identify the two governing equations (Ksp and Kw)

2. Recognize that [OH-] = 10-14+pH
3. Substitute to derive an equation [Mg2+] = f(pH)

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. What are your two governing equations?

Mg OH 10
OH H 10
2

10.74

14

2. Two unknowns, and two equations.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

3. Given the pH, we know [H+].

H 10

pH

10

10

4. Solve for [OH-]2

OH

OH

10 14 10 14
14 pH
pH 10
H 10

10 282 pH

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

5. Substitute into 1st governing equation,

and solve for [Mg2+].

Mg
2

10.74

10
28 2 pH 1017.262 pH
10

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

6. Substitute value of pH given in the

problem statement, then convert to
mg/L. NOTE: units in [ ] are moles per
liter!

Mg 10
10
24.3
2

2.74 mol

2.74 mol

3 mg

10
mol
g

44.2 mg L

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

7. For a pH of 11, the solubility is 0.442

mg/L. For a pH of 12 the solubility is 0.004
mg/L. Work these solutions on your own.
..... end of example.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

The chemical 1,4-dichlorobenzene (1,4DCB) is used in an enclosed area. At

20C (68F) the saturated vapor pressure
of 1,4-DCB is 5.3 x 10-4 atm. What would
be the concentration in the air of the
enclosed area (units of g/m3) at 20C ?
The molecular weight of 1,4-DCB is 147
g/mol.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Rearrange the ideal gas law to solve for n/V [mol/L] and
apply the appropriate conversions.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Rearrange the Ideal Gas Law to solve for

the concentration of 1,4-DCB in the air

5.3 10 4 atm
L atm
o
0
.
0821
293
K

mol K

5 mol 1000 L
2.2 10

147

3
L m
mol

g
3.2 3
m

n
P

V RT

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Anaerobic microorganisms metabolize

organic matter to carbon dioxide and
methane gases. Estimate the volume
of gas produced (at atmospheric
pressure and 25 C) from the anaerobic
decomposition of 2 moles of glucose.
The reaction is:

C6 H12O6 3CH 4 3CO2

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Recognize that each mole of glucose produces 3 moles of

methane and 3 moles of carbon dioxide gases, for a total of 6
moles. Therefore, 2 moles of glucose produces a total of 12
moles.

C6 H12O6 3CH 4 3CO2

Use the ideal gas law to solve for V given n=12 moles

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Each mole of glucose produces 3 moles of methane and 3 moles of

carbon dioxide gases, for a total of 6 moles. Therefore, 2 moles of
glucose produces a total of 12 moles. The entire volume is then

L atm

12 mol 0.0821
298 K
nRT
K mol

1 atm
P
294 L

Note: The volume of 1 mole of any gas is the same. Thus, 1

mole of carbon dioxide gas is the same volume of 1 mole of
methane gas.

Example

Solution

Show that one mole of any ideal gas

will occupy 22.414 L at standard
temperature and pressure (STP).
Note: STP is 273.13K and 101.325
kPa (0C and 1 atm).

Example

Solution

Use the ideal gas law to solve for

volume.
Note: J = N. m Pa = N/m2

N m
mole
K
K mole
V
m3
N
m2
. K
1 mole 8.3143 J K mole 27316

1000 L m3

. kPa 1000 Pa kPa

101325

22.414 L

......end of example

Example

Solution

Similarly, if we consider the volume at

25C
N m
mole
K
K mole
V
m3
N
m2

1mole 8.3143 J K mole 273 25 K

1000 L m3
101.325kPa1000Pa kPa

24.45 L
......end of example

Example

Solution

Convert 80 mg/m3 of SO2 in 1 m3

of air, 25 C, 103.193 kPa to ppm

Example

Solution

Mp
L T2 101.325kPa

22.414

V p MW
mole 273K
P2

ppm

L
Va
Va 1000
m3

80g
L 298 K

22.414

g

V p 64.06 mol
mole 273K
ppm

L
Va
Va 1000 3
m
0.03 ppm SO2

101.325kPa

103.193kPa

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

A 1 m3 volume tank contains a gas

mixture of 18.32 moles of oxygen,
16.40 moles of nitrogen and 6.15
moles of carbon dioxide. What is
the partial pressure of each
component in the gas mixture at
25C and 101.3 kPa?

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Convert temperature
Use the ideal gas law to determine the pressure of
each gas
Apply Daltons Law

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Convert temperature
T 25.0 273 298 K
PO2

18.32 moles 8.314 J K mole 298 K

10
. m3
45389 Pa 45.39 kPa
PN2 40.63 kPa
PCO2 15.24 kPa

P 45.39 40.63 15.24 1013. kPa

.....end of example

Example

Solution

Calculate the concentration of dissolved

oxygen (units of mol/L and mg/L) in a
water equilibrated with the atmosphere at
25 C.
The Henrys law constant for oxygen at
25 C is 1.29 x 10-3 mol/L-atm.
Note: The partial pressure of oxygen in the
atmosphere is 0.21 atm.

Example

Solution

mol
K H PO2 1.29 10
0.21 atm
L atm

4 mol
2.7 10
L
3

which you can convert to 8.7 mg/L

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

A constant volume, batch chemical reactor achieves a

reduction of compound A from 120 mg/L to 50 mg/L in 4
hours. Determine the reaction rate for both zero- and
first-order kinetics. Clearly indicate the units of k.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Using the two boundary conditions

A = 120 mg/L at t=0
A = 50 mg/L at t=4 hrs
Determine k using:
C = Co - kt (zero order)
C = Coe-kt (first order)

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Zero-Order

Solutio
n

C Co kt
Co C
k
t

120 50 mg L

4hr
17.5 mg Lhr

Proble
m

Strateg
y

First-Order

Solutio
n

C Co e

kt

C
50

ln
ln

Co
120

t
4hr
ln 0.417
1

0.219 hr
4hr
Note the difference in units. The units associated with rate
constants are specific for the reaction order.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Consider how the choice of a rate constant effects the design of

a treatment facility.
For Q = 0.5m3/s and an initial concentration of 150 mg/L, what
size of reactor is required to achieve 95% conversion
assuming
a) Zero-order reaction
b) First order reaction
Use the values of k from the previous problem
Zero order k = 17.5 mg/Lhr
First order k = 0.219 hr-1

Proble
m
1.
2.
3.
4.

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Note that 95% conversion means C = 0.05Co

Solve for t in each case
Recognize that Q = [L3/T] = Volume/time
Solve for volume V= Qt for each case

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. 95% conversion means C= 0.05Co

2. Zero-order

C Co kt
0.05Co Co kt
0.95 150 mg
L
0.95Co

k
17.5 mg
L hr
8.14 hr

3
m
V Qt 0.5

14,657m 3

8.14 hr 3600 s
hr
hr

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

3. First order

C Co e kt
0.05Co Co e kt

ln 0.05 0.219hr 1 t
t 13.68 hr

3
m
V Qt 0.5

24,622 m 3

s 13.68 hr 3600 s hr

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

How long will it take the carbon

monoxide (CO) concentration in a
room to decrease by 99% after the
source of carbon monoxide is
removed, and the windows opened?
Assume the first-order rate constant
for CO removal (due to dilution by the
in coming clean air) is 1.2 h-1.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. First order reaction is C=Coe-kt

2. If 99% is removed, C=0.01Co

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

This is a first-order reaction, so use

[CO]=[COo]e-kt
When 99% of the CO is removed, [CO] = 0.01[COo]
0.01[COo] = [COo]e-kt
where k = 1.2 h-1
Solve for t = 3.8 h

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

An engineer is modeling the transport of

a chemical contaminant in groundwater.
The individual has a mathematical model
that only accepts first-order degradation
rate constants and a handbook of with a
table for subsurface chemical
transformation half-lifes. Subsurface
half-lives for benzene, TCE and toluene
are listed as 69, 231, and 12 days
respectively. What are the first-order rate
constants for all three chemicals?

Proble
m

Strateg
y

0.693
t1/ 2
k
0.693
k
t1/ 2

Solutio
n

Apply this equation to each

individual compound

Proble
m

Strateg
y

k benzene
k TCE

Solutio
n

0.693
0.693

0.01 day 1
t1 / 2
69 days

0.693
0.693

0.003 day 1
t1 / 2
231 days

k toluene

0.693
0.693

0.058 day 1
t1 / 2
12 days

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

After the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the concentration of 137Cs in

milk was proportional to the concentration of 137Cs in the grass that
cows consumed. The concentration in the grass was, in turn,
proportional to the concentration in the soil. Assume that the only
reaction by which 137Cs was lost from the soil was through
radioactive decay, and the half-life for this isotope is 30 years.
Calculate the concentration of 137Cs in cows milk after 5 years if
the concentration in milk shortly after the accident was 12,000
Bq/L. (Note: A Bequerel is a measure of radioactivity. One
Bequerel equals one radioactive disintegration per second).

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

1. Determine k
2. Apply the equation C=Coe-kt

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

0.693
1
k
0.023 yr
t1 / 2

137

Cs t 5

137

Cs t 0 e

kt

12,000 Bq 0.023 / yr 5 yr

e
L

10,700

Bq

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

A biological wastewater treatment process is known to exhibit firstorder kinetics with a temperature correction factor equal to 1.023.
For 20C, k=6.0 day-1.
Determine the required reaction time required to meet 75%
conversion in the summer and winter. Assume an average
summer and winter temperature of 30C and 0C respectively.

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

Correct k
Solve for t given C=Coe-kt
For 75% conversion, C=0.25Co

Proble
m

Strateg
y

kT k 20

Solutio
n

(T 20)

k30 6 day
k 0 6 day

1.023

1.023

( 30 20)

( 0 20)

7.53 day

3.807 day

Proble
m

Strateg
y

C Co e

Solutio
n

kt

C
(1 0.75)Co

ln
ln
Co
Co

k
k
1.386

Proble
m

Strateg
y

Solutio
n

For 30 C
1.386
t
0.184 day 4.4 hr
1
7.53 day

For 0 C
1.386
t
0.364 day 8.74 hr
1
3.807 day