Environmental

Engineering
 Environmental Engineering
• The application of scientific and engineering principles to assess, manage, and
design sustainable environmental systems for the protection of human and
ecological health.
• sound engineering thought and practice in the solution of problems of
environmental sanitation, notably in the provision of safe, palatable and ample
public water supplies; the proper disposal of or recycle of wastewater and
solid wastes; the adequate drainaige of urban and rural areas for proper sanitation;
and the control of water, soil and atmospheric pollution, and the social and
environmental impact of these solutions (ASCE,1977)
 Fields
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Water Supply and Transport
• Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment
• Air Quality Management
 Terms and Definitions
• Environment – Physical and biotic habitat which surrounds us; that which we can
see, touch, smell or taste
• Biosphere – is the part of the earth, including air, land, surface rocks and water,
within which life occurs, and which biotic processes in turn modify or transform.
• Ecology – study of how organisms interact with one another and with their non-
living environment.
• Ecosystem – The community of organisms and populations interacting with one
another and with the chemical and physical factors making up their environment
 Biogeochemical cycle
• Cycling of nutrients
• Types
• Water cycle
• Carbon cycle
• Nitrogen cycle
• Phosphorus cycle
Water Quality
Management
 Water Quality Management
• DAO 34 – Water Usage and Classification
• DAO 35 – Effluent Regulations
• DAO 2016-08
• Additional parameters were added
• Changes in method of expression
• More stringent measures
• New industries
 Classifications
• Surface water – water on the ground or in a stream, river, lake, sea or ocean; as opposed to
groundwater. Important sources of public water supplies because of the high withdrawal
rates they can normally sustain
• Sea water – water from sea or ocean. On average, sea water in the world's oceans has a
salinity of ~3.5%. Seawater can be turned into drinkable (potable) water by one of a
number of desalination processes.
• Groundwater – water that has percolated downward from the ground surface through the
soil pores. Not as susceptible pollution as surface water but once polluted, restoration is
difficult and long term.
• Reclaimed wastewater – water that has been treated sufficiently for direct reuse in industry
and agriculture and for limited municipal reclamation.
 Water Use
• Consumptive water use – renders water unavailable for future use; either
because of evaporation, extreme pollution, or seepage underground; until
the hydrologic cycle returns as rain.
• Non-consumptive water use – leaves the water available (after treatment if
necessary) for reuse without going through the hydrologic cycle.
 Physical Characteristics of Wastewater
• Color
• Odor
• Turbidity
• Temperature
• Total Solids
 Chemical Characteristics of Wastewater
• pH • Trace Metals
• Phenols • Proteins
• Hardness • Carbohydrates
• Pesticides and Agri • Oils, Fats and Greases
Chemicals • Surfactants
• Nutrients
 Biological Characteristics of Wastewater

• DO
• ThOD
• BOD
• COD
Color
• Nessler Tubes/Nessler Cylinders –
Standardized glass tubes for filling with
standard solution colors for visual color
comparison with similar tubes filled with
solution samples.
• Photoelectric Colorimeters/Spectrophotometers -
Colorimeter that uses a phototube or
photocell, a set of color filters, an
amplifier, and an indicating meter for
quantitative determination of color.
Odor (Olfactometer)
 Turbidity
• Nephelometer – measures the intensity of light scattered at 90 degrees as a
beam of light passes through a water sample.
• Secchi Disk Depth – circular disk used to measure water transparency in oceans
and lakes.
• Units in turbidity; JTU, FTU, NTU
 Trace Metals
• Heavy metals which are toxic even in small concentrations.
• Mercury – causes minamata disease which is a neurological disease characterized by
trembling, inability to walk and speak and even serious convulsions that can lead to death.
• Cadmium – responsible for the Itai-itai disease; an extremely painful disease that causes
disintegration of the bones.
• Silver – causes argyria, the blue-gray discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane.
• Arsenic – recognized poison; carcinogenic
• Chromium – causes neurological disease
• Lead – leads to fetal malformation, mental disability, irritability, loss of appetite, and reduction
of sex drive.
 Dissolved Oxygen
• Quantity of free molecular oxygen dissolved in the water.
• Factors affecting DO:
• Temperature
• Surface Area
• Velocity
 Theoretical Oxygen Demand
• Measure of the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize completely and organic
matter whose chemical formula is known.
 Biological Oxygen Demand
• Measure of the amount of oxygen needed by microorganism to decompose
biodegradable organics at a specified time (5 days), temperature (20 deg C)
and pH 7.
 Chemical Oxygen Demand
• Measure of the amount of oxygen needed to oxidize organics using strong
oxidizing agents, usually KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 in acid media.
• Reflux for 2 hours at 150 deg C
Wastewater Treatment
Methods
 Types of Wastes
 Oxygen Demanding Wastes
 Inorganic Wastes
 Synthetic Organic Wastes
 Nutrients
 Pathogenic Wastes
 Radioactive Wastes
 Thermal Wastes
 Why do we treat wastes?
 To remove organic matter from the sewage which causes pollution
 To remove pathogens (disease causing organisms) which pose serious health
risk
 Pre-treatment
Bar Racks- to remove large objects that would damage or foul pumps, valves and other
mechanical equipment.
Grit Chambers- tanks used to remove grits. Grits are inert dense materials such as sand,
broken glass, silt and pebbles. (Type I Sedimentation-Dilutes, non-flocculent, free-settling)
Comminutors/Macerators- used to macerate wastewater solids by revolving cutting bars.
Equalization Basins-not a treatment method but a technique to improve the
effectiveness of both secondary and advanced wastewater treatment. Purpose is to dampen
variations so that the wastewater can be treated at a nearby constant flow thus reducing the
size and cost of treatment units.
 Primary Treatment
• Primary Sedimentation Basins- removal of raw sludge by gravity settling.
Overflow rate is the controlling parameter and hydraulic detention time.
• Type II Sedimentation-Dilute, flocculent (particles can flocculate as they
settle).
Primary Treatment

• FACTORS AFFECTING SEDIMENTATION

• •PARTICLE SIZE
• The size and type of particles to be removed have a significant effect on the
operation of the sedimentation tank.
• •WATER TEMPERATURE
• Another factor to consider in the operation of a sedimentation basin is the
temperature of the water being treated. When the temperature decreases, the rate of
settling becomes slower.
 Secondary Treatment (Biological)
• Secondary treatment process removes soluble BOD that escapes the primary
treatment.
• Aerobic Decomposition
 molecular oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor.
 products of decomposition: carbon dioxide, water and new cell material (more
stable products)
 large amount of energy released therefore high growth rates. Consequently, large
production of new cells. (More biological sludge)
 decomposition is rapid, efficient, low odor potential
Secondary Treatment (Biological)
• Anaerobic Decomposition
 molecular oxygen and nitrate must not be present as terminal electron acceptors.
 sulfates, carbon dioxide and other organic compounds can serve as T.E.A.
 decomposition products: ammonia, hydrogen sulfides, methane, mercaptans etc
 energy released is low, thus sludge production is low.
• 3 Step Process:
• 1. Hydrolysis- breakdown of high molecular weight organic compounds into a smaller chained compounds.
• 2. Acidogenesis-formation of low molecular weight fatty acids
• 3. Methanogenesis- formation of methane from organic fatty acids.
 Secondary Treatment (Biological)
• Anoxic Decomposition
 nitrate ion is the terminal electron acceptor.
 oxidation by this route is called denitrification.
 decomposition products: nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, water and new cell
material
 Activated Sludge Process
 Aerated for 6-8 hrs (8 cubic meters/cubic meter wastewater)
 as the microorganisms grow and are mixed by the agitation of the air, they
clump together forming biological floc (activated sludge).
 some of the settled sludge is return to the aeration tank (return sludge) to
maintain the high population of microbes that permits rapid breakdown.
(20-30%)
 amount of time that microorganisms are kept in the system is called mean
cell residence time, solids retention time or sludge age.
 Trickling Filters
 consists of bed of coarse material, such as stones or plastic materials (media)
over which wastewater is applied.
 provide large amounts of surface area where the microorganisms cling and
grow in a slime on the rocks. (attached growth process)
• Filter Media:
 Crushed rock
 Plastic media
 Rotating Biological Contactors (RBC)
 Provide media for the buildup of attached microbial growth.
 Bring growth into contact with the wastewater.
 Aerate the wastewater and the suspended microbial growth in the reservoir.
 Secondary Treatment (Chemical)
• Chemical Precipitation
 In current practice, chemical precipitation is used for the removal of phosphorus and for the
removal of heavy metals.
• Common Precipitants:
• Lime
• Ferric Chloride
• Soda Ash
• Ferric Sulfate
• Alum
 Secondary Treatment (Chemical)
• Chemical Coagulation
 An electrochemical process used in the removal of colloidal matter in
wastewater through the addition of coagulating agents which reduce the
electrostatic chargers surrounding colloidal matter.
• Common Coagulants:
• Alum
• Copperas
 Secondary Treatment (Chemical)
• Chemical Flocculation
 A physico-chemical process used in the removal of finely divided solids, a polyelectrolyte is
added to wastewater which can form bridges that will join together the solids.
• Common Flocculants
• Anionic Polyacrylamide
• Alginates
• Sodium Aluminate
• Sodium Silicate
 Tertiary Treatment
• Disinfection
 refers to the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms for the sole purpose
of preventing transmission of disease through water.
• Sterilization
 killing of ALL microorganisms present in water
 Tertiary Treatment
• Chlorination
 Chlorine is used to disinfect wastewater in either gaseous form (Cl2), or as
hypochlorite salts. All forms of chlorine react with water to produce
hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which rapidly dissociates to form the
hypochlorite ion according to the following reaction:
Cl2 +H2O ↔ HOCl + H+ +Cl-
HOCl ↔ OCl- + H+
 Tertiary Treatment
• Ozonation
 Disinfection by ozonation is achieved using the formation of free radicals as
oxidizing agents. Ozonation is more effective against viruses and bacteria
than chlorination, yet problems with effective bactericidal action occur when
conditions are not ideal.
 Tertiary Treatment
• Ultraviolet radiation
 A physical process that principally involves passing a film of wastewater
within close proximity of a UV source (lamp). The efficiency of UV
disinfection depends on the physical and chemical water quality
characteristics of the wastewater prior to disinfection.
 Advanced Treatment Process
 Carbon Adsorption
 Reverse Osmosis
 Micro, Nano and Ultrafiltration;
 Electrodialysis
 Ion-exchange
Solid Waste
Management
 Integrated Solid Waste Management
 The selection and application of suitable techniques, technologies and
management programs to achieve specific waste management objectives.
 Includes factor like: frequency of collection, types of wastes collected,
location of disposal site and environmental acceptability of disposal system
and level of satisfaction to customers.
Hierarchy of SWM
Prevention

Reduction

Recycling

Treatment

Disposal
Treatment Technologies
 Functional Elements of SWM
• Generation
 Amount of waste generated depends on the level of economic activity.
• Storage
 Trash bins/trash cans
• Onsite Collection
 Must isolate waste from the environment to prevent health hazard.
• Collection
 Accounts for significant portion of total cost
 Functional Elements of SWM
• Transfer/Transport
 Direct or by transfer stations
• Treatment
 Recycling, Composting or Incineration
• Disposal
 Controlled dumpsite/Sanitary Landfill
 Landfill Planning Considerations
• Required Capacity
 Area and volume required for MSW disposal
• Depends on: Projected waste generation, rate of population growth, density to which waste is
compacted at landfill
• NIMBY (Not in my backyard mentality)
 Resident concerns: health and environmental risks, negative impact on aesthetics in the area,
lowering of property values
• Hydro-geology
 presence of water table, hydrological conductivity of the soil, annual precipitation, degree of
seismic activity in the area
Air Quality Management
 Air Pollution
 Alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the atmosphere that is
likely to create harmful effects on public health, safety, and welfare
• Different Air Pollutants
 COx
 CH 4
 NO x
 VOC
 SO X
 PM 10
 Air Pollutant Classifications
• Primary Pollutant
 emitted by an identifiable source (e.g. CO,NOx,COx,SOx)
• Secondary Pollutant
 formed by the chemical reactions of the primary pollutants (e.g. acid rain)
• Criteria Pollutant
 6 criteria pollutants; CO,Pb,NO2,O3,PM and SO2
• Non-criteria Pollutant
 other than criteria pollutants
 Air Pollution
• Mobile sources generated the largest share of carbon monoxide
 Major Air Pollutants
• Carbon Dioxide- Main product of fossil fuel combustion; major greenhouse gas
when it displaces oxygen in the air causing suffocation due to binomia.
• CO- Product of incomplete combustion; causes anoxicity where CO reacts with
hemoglobin forming carboxyhemoglobin
• SOx- Acid rain precursors
• NOx- Formed mainly during high temperature combustion of fuel in cars; causes
reddish-brown haze in city air; contributor to the formation of ground level bad
ozone (tropospheric ozone)
 Major Air Pollutants
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
 Artificial gases used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners
 Non-toxic, non-flammable, non-biodegradable, non-water soluble
 Stable and can reach the stratosphere
• Particulate Matter (PM)
 Contribute to urban haze, cause visibility reduction
 Air Pollution Control Equipment
• Settling Chambers
 Particulate removal is by gravity; recommended for particulate sizes in the range of 50
microns or higher.
• Cyclone Collector
 Dirty gas is fed peripherally into the device. Particulate removal is by centrifugal impaction
on the cyclone wall from where it falls to the bottom; recommended for particulates of 20
to 45 microns in size.
• Venturi Scrubbers
 Uses water to effect particulate separation from the gas stream; recommended for
particulates of 5 to 20 microns and should have high affinity for water.
 Air Pollution Control Equipment
• Filters
 Separates the particulates from the main stream by direct interception; filter
medium is cloth or acetate membrane filters
• Electrostatic Precipitators
 Most efficient method; recommended for all sizes if particulates especially
those below 1 to 10 microns; gas is given an electrical charge as it enters the
device.
Thank you for listening!