1 INTRODUCTION TO THE MODULE

This module forms part of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours in Chemical
Engineering. The purpose of this module is to enable students to apply chemical engineering
principles and concepts to complex environmental engineering challenges present in the chemical
industry. Strategies for pollution prevention and pollution treatment will be developed. In particular,
air pollution control techniques, and water and wastewater treatment will be evaluated.
Furthermore, students will be able to assess and design environmental engineering unit
operations, in particular, cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, venturi scrubbers, baghouses,
coagulation and flocculation, lime soda softening, membrane technologies, disinfection,
chlorination, UV and ozone and biological treatment. A detailed analysis of air and water pollution
is provided whilst on overview only of solid waste management is described. A detailed analysis
of air and water pollution is provided whilst an overview only of solid waste management is
described.

1.1 What is Environmental Process Engineering and Design?

During the last three decades, pollution of the environment by industrial facilities has gained
immense public awareness.

All industrial processing activities possess the potential to negatively impact the natural
environment and public health due to the diversity of chemicals handled and operating
temperatures and pressures. The environment comprises air, water and land resources.
Engineers possess a responsibility to society to protect public health. Hence, this module focuses
on the design of chemical engineering control equipment in industry that reduces the impact to
the environment to legally acceptable levels. The competencies acquired from this module
contribute to the development of skills for sustainable design, and operation of chemical systems.

1.2 Module outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to achieve the following:

• Understand South African legislation related to air, water and land pollution and relationship
to international agreements.
• Explain the causes and the consequences of air pollution.
• Understand and apply the fundamentals of operation and equipment design for key air
pollution control processes.
• Select air pollution control processes.
• Explain the causes and the consequences of water pollution.
• Understand and apply the fundamentals of operation and equipment design for key water
pollution control processes.
• Select water and wastewater pollution control processes.

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 • Obtain an overview of the sources and the consequences of industrial solid waste.
• Understand the fundamentals or processing of solid waste.
• Obtain an overview of industrial cases studies for air, water, and solid waste pollution.

1.3 Structure of the module

The following is a structure of the module:

Basic
principles and Fundamentals Selection of
Sources of Consequences equipment Worked
Legislation of Design of
pollutants of pollutants examples
equipment The Solution
The Problem

Figure 1.1: Module structure for air and water pollution

Basic
Fundamentals
principles and
Consequences of processing Worked
Legislation Sources of
of pollutants of waste examples
pollutants
The Solution
The Problem

Figure 1.2: Module structure for solid waste management

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1.4 Co-requisites

There are no co-requisites for this module. You are encouraged to review the following principles
covered by previous modules as this will improve your understanding of this course:
• Separation principles
• Transport phenomena
• Chemical process design principles
• Reaction engineering
• Hear transfer

1.5 Exercises and problems

Exercises are presented in each learning unit to display a worked example to reinforce key
principles. Problems are presented at the end of each learning unit for students to solve on their
own. It is imperative that students attempt these problems to determine their understanding of
the principles of the module.

1.6 Recommended textbooks

There are no prescribed textbooks for this module: recommended textbooks include:
1. Coulson and Richardson’s Chemical Engineering Volume 2 – Particle Technology and
Separation Processes, Richardson, J.F., Harker, J.H., Backhurst, J.R., 5 th Edition, 2002.
2. Industrial Waste Treatment Handbook, Woodard and Curran, Inc, 2 nd Edition, 2006.
3. Understanding our Environment – An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Pollution,
Harrison, R.M., 3rd Edition, 1999.
4. Pollution – Causes, Effects and Control, Harrison, RM., 5 th Edition, 2014.

1.7 Time management

EPE4801 is a semester module and requires a minimum of 120 hours. The following is a
guideline for studying this module:

Activity Hours

Reading Tutorial letter and 2

understanding module requirements

Brief reading Study Guide to obtain an 3

overview

In-depth study of learning units 1–5 80

study the content, work through the
examples, and do the problems
presented at the end of each learning
unit

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Activity Hours

Completing assignments 30

Examination preparation (Revision) 5

Total 120

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