Wastewater Treatment

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. state the characteristics of wastewater; 2. identify water treatment processes; 3. undertake plant design with emphasis on low-cost options; and 4. explain environmental aspects and plant operation.

Principles of wastewater treatment (wastewater characteristics, why treat wastewater, wastewater treatment philosophy, preliminary & primary, secondary & tertiary treatment units). Reactions and reactors in wastewater treatment. Overview of biological wastewater treatment systems (activated sludge process, trickling filters, ponds, overland treatment, and constructed wetland systems). Ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs), Septic tank and baffled septic tank systems. Wastewater stabilization ponds. Basic activated sludge and trickling filter systems of treatment. Sludge treatment and disposal. Minimum Academic Standards Equipment Fluids & Hydraulics Laboratory Laboratory testing to enhance and extend the student's understanding of the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and hydraulics. The experiments are built around Armfield F1-10 Hydraulic Bench or its equivalent. Basic experiments linked with Hydraulic Bench are: F1-12 Hydrostatic pressure, F1-13 Flow over weirs, F1-15 Bernoulli’s theorem demonstration, F1-16 Impact of a jet, F1-17 Orifice and free jet flow, F1-18 Energy losses in pipes, F1-19 Flow channel, F1-20 Osborne Reynolds’ demonstration, F1-22 Energy losses in bends and fittings, F1-23 Free and forced vortices, F1-25 Demonstration of Pelton turbine, F1-27 Centrifugal pumps characteristics. Data are collected and analysed using statistical and numerical tools. In addition, experiments in hydrology can be handled such as rainfall simulation systems. Public Health Engineering Laboratory These laboratory experiments are designed to enhance students' understanding of courses related to public health such as water and wastewater treatment and plant operations. Data are collected and analysed using statistical and numerical tools. Experiments will cover: Errors of measurement; Solids’ determination (total, suspended, and volatile); pH, acidity, and alkalinity; Colour and turbidity; use of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) meter; Determination of water hardness (total, calcium, and magnesium); Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD); Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD); Determination of Nitrate (NO ) and Phosphate (PO ); Breakpoint Chlorination; Enumeration of bacteria – Agar Plate Count, Most Probable Number (MPN) method, and Membrane Filtration (ELE Paqualab is valuable), coagulation/flocculation experiment. Key equipment should include solids determination, pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, digester, water distiller of deionizer, colorimeter, or spectrophotometer (preferred). ELE Paqualab System 50 is designed to be used for potable water testing. Environmental Engineering Fieldwork (a) Air Pollution Monitoring This will involve lectures on air pollution monitoring and the use of multi-sensors air pollution monitors that can detect common air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM . & PM ), Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO ), Sulphur dioxide (SO ), Ozone (O ) and Hydrocarbons. (b) Noise Pollution Monitoring This will involve the use of both Integrated and Basic Noise Level Meters all to IEC 61672 Class 2 International Standard in addition to a Noise Dosimeter if available. Noise measurement and analysis should include Sound attenuation with distance, Road traffic noise index, Noise Pollution Level (NPL), Loudness analysis using ISO Method A based on Stephen (1961), Noise dose, and Time Weighted Average (TWA) computation. Data to be collected and analysed using statistical and numerical tools. Note: Fieldwork should be assigned as a course and given 1 credit unit. Staffing Academic Staff The NUC guidelines on staff/student ratio of 1:15 for Engineering and Technology departments shall apply. However, there should be a minimum of six full-time equivalents of Staff in the department. There is need to have a reasonable number of Staff with doctoral degrees as well as sufficient industrial experience. With a minimum load of 15 Units per semester for students and a minimum of six full-time equivalent of staff in each programme, staff should have a maximum of 15 contact hours per week for lectures, tutorials, practical’s and supervision of projects. NUC requirement encourages all academic staff to have PhD degrees; hence appointment of academic staff is preferably to the Lecturer cadre. Only in exceptional cases are candidates with great promise appointed to Graduate Assistant and Assistant Lecturer positions for the purpose of being developed to the Lecturer cadre as registered PhD candidates. Academic Support Personnel Teaching Assistant/Demonstrators to help lecturers in the conduct of tutorials, practical’s and field work. This category of personnel is not expected to be regular staff as they are to be paid on the basis of approved hourly rate. Administrative Support Staff The services of the administrative support staff are indispensable in the proper administration of the departments and faculty offices. It is important to recruit very competent senior staff that are computer literate. Technical Support Personnel The services of technical support staff, which are indispensable in the proper running of laboratories and workshop/studios are required. It is important to recruit very competent senior technical staff to maintain teaching and research equipment. They are also to undergo regular training to keep them abreast of developments in equipment operation and maintenance. The minimum of academic staff to technical staff ratio of 5:1 should be maintained. Minimum Number of Staff Subject to the general standards specified by NUC; 1. there should be a minimum of two PhDs and four M.Eng degree holders full-time academic staff to mount the programme; 2. each workshop or laboratory should have an adequate number of staff with the right mix, such that each unit or section in that workshop or laboratory can run efficiently; and 3. there should be an adequate number of administrative staff of the appropriate caliber for the office of the Head of Department to run. Library In addition to the university and faculty libraries, the programme must have a departmental library that is well equipped with specialized books and journals in both physical collections and E-collections (E-Resources) of various types. Various field and research reports of the programme must also be available in the library for staff, students and researchers. The library must also have adequate facilities for the following: 1. Reading; 2. Provisions for lending; and 3. Reservation unit for specialized materials. Classrooms, Laboratories, Workshops, Clinics and Offices The NUC recommends the following physical space requirement: Academic m2 Professor’s Office 18.50 Head of Department’s Office 18.50 Tutorial Teaching Staff Space 13.50 Other Teaching Staff Space 7.00 Technical Staff Space 7.00 Science Staff Research Laboratory 16.50 Engineering Staff Research Laboratory 14.50 Seminar Space per student 1.85 Drawing Office Space (A.O. Board) (Per Student) 4.60 Drawing Office Space (A.I. Board) (Per Student) 3.70 Laboratory Space 7.50 Non-Academic Secretarial Space 7.00 Office Facilities S/No Office No in Room Facilities 1. HOD 1 Table, chairs, A/C, filing cabinet, bookshelves, computer unit, Secretary and facilities. 2. Professor 1 Table, chairs, A/C, filing cabinet, bookshelves, computer unit, Secretary and facilities. 3. Reader 1 Table, chairs, A/C, filing cabinet, bookshelves, computer unit. 4. Senior 1 Table, chairs, A/C, filing cabinet, bookshelves, Lecturer computer unit. 5. Lecturer I 2 Table, chairs, fan, filing cabinet, bookshelves. 6. Lecturer II 3 Table, chairs, fan, filing cabinet, bookshelves