Environmental Engineering Design

Overview

Course delivery.
Each Project will begin with an Introductory Lecture, followed by a combination of Lectures, scheduled Group sessions (attended by the Lecturer/Section Expert) and independent Group work. All assignments to be submitted electronically via Canvas.

Schedule for Teaching, Continual Assessment and Submission Deadlines.

Week/s, Content and Design project submission deadline/s:

Weeks 1 – 5 Project 1.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Biogas/bioenergy systems.
2 Lectures, 2 hours, Group Sessions, Research and Site Visit to Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas plant. Dr Curry.
Deadline: End of Week 5. Friday 23rd October.

Weeks 6 - 10 Project 2.
4 Lectures 4 hours. Introduction to Photocatalytic technologies. Prof Robertson.
Project 2. Photocatalytic reactor design.
Group Sessions and Research.
Prof Robertson.
Deadline: End of Week 10. Friday 27th November.

Staff:
Prof. P. Robertson 4 Lectures/Group Sessions
Dr R. Curry (MC) 2 Lectures/Group Sessions


DETAILED SYLLABUS – LECTURES (32 hours):

1. Review of Biogas Systems and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Biogas/Bioenergy systems.
Lecturers: Dr R. Curry - Room No. LG.013 - Email: r.curry@qub.ac.uk

1.1. Review of Bioenergy content from Levels 1-3 and latest developments. 1.2. Review of LCA principles from L2 and application of LCA to Bioenergy systems. 1.3. Selection and critical evaluation of feedstocks and processes for bioenergy production. 1.4. Analysis and evaluation of Case Studies of the application of LCA to Bioenergy systems. 1.5. Key issues and challenges in application of LCA/CF to bioenergy processes. 1.5. Literature review, technology evaluation and critical review of data sources. 1.6. Development of Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of feedstocks and processes. 1.7. Development of Model for Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) balances of biogas production and utilisation options. 1.8. Integration of UK GHG Inventory data for electricity and gas production. 1.9. Comparative evaluation of GHG balances for Bioenergy and fossil sources. 2.0. Identification and modelling of innovative technologies for biogas production and utilisation. 2.1. Sensitivity analysis of data and technology performance assumptions.

2. Photocatalytic Technologies.
Lecturer: Prof. P. Robertson – Room No. 02.424 – Email : p.robertson@qub.ac.uk

2.1. Basic photocatalytic processes. 2.2. Selection and evaluation of photocatalyst materials. 2.3. Introduction to the design principles of photocatalytic reactors. 2.4. Design and construction of immobilised film, fluidised bed and suspended catalyst photoreactors. 2.5. Mass transport and kinetic modelling and control in photocatalytic reactors. 2.6. Irradiation sources and light distribution in photocatalytic reactors. 2.7. Determination of conversion efficiencies, quantum yields and economic evaluation of photocatalytic reactors 2.8. Applications of photocatalytic technology for energy conversion/storage and .treatment of contaminated water and air.

Learning Objectives

General learning outcomes:
Students will build on and further develop the learning and skills from Level 3 through the design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in environmental and bioengineering.

Specific learning outcomes:
Knowledge, evaluation, design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in bioenergy.
Knowledge and understanding of Life Cycle Analysis Inventory and Model development;
Knowledge, evaluation and design of photocatalytic technologies for environmental remediation and sustainable energy applications.
Knowledge, evaluation, design and critical appraisal of current and emerging technologies in catalytic conversion.

At the end of the module the students are expected to be able to:

• Describe and critically evaluate photocatalyst materials and processes for both energy conversion/storage and environmental applications;
• Carry out kinetic and light modelling of photoreactors and critically appraise the outputs;
• Evaluate and critically appraise the technical and economic feasibility of photocatalytic technologies for both environmental remediation and solar energy conversion and storage;
• Design, evaluate and critically appraise the photocatalytic reactor configurations for sustainable energy and environmental remediation applications.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and its application to Bioenergy processes and systems;
• Search and critically evaluate the literature and compile an inventory of technology performance assumptions and associated CO2-eq emissions for the Biogas/Bioenergy production and utilization system;
• Build an Excel model and apply this to carry out a Life Cycle Analysis of biogas production and utilisation;
• Identify and carry out LCA modelling of innovative technologies for biogas production and utilisation;
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding uncertainty and complexity in inventory development and modelling through the use of Sensitivity Analysis.

Skills

Skills acquired with module:
Knowledge and understanding of current and emerging technologies in environmental and bioengineering.

Assessment

Assessment: Continuous Assessment 100 %.

Continual Assessment comprises 2 Projects, each worth 50% of the module.

Project 1. Biogas/bioenergy: Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of biogas/bioenergy production and utilisation options; and
Project 2. Photocatalytic technologies: Design and evaluation of photocatalytic reactor configurations for sustainable energy and environmental remediation applications.