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UNISA EEN 3701 Environmental Engineering Test

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views2 pages

UNISA EEN 3701 Environmental Engineering Test

Uploaded by

Augustine
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

TEST NO: Major Test – Assessment No: 5 (Rewrite)

Semester Course

EEN 3701
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Examiner: Dr K Mokgohloa
Marks: 65 Internal Moderator: Dr L Mthembu
Weight of Assessment: 35% External Moderator: Ms T Van Wyk
INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:

YOUR SCRIPT MUST BE SAVED WITH STUDENT NO, SUBJECT CODE AND
UPLOADED ON THE ASSESSMENT PLATFORM.
• Honesty Declaration must be completed
• The module is invigilated
Additional student instructions
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must
not be password protected or uploaded as “read-only” files). Please ensure you follow all
the steps to submit and submitted scripts must not be in “draft” form.
2. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility
and that the correct answer script file has been uploaded.
4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts should their initial
submission be unsatisfactory.
5. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
6. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examination
platforms (including the invigilator cellphone application) will not be marked and no
opportunity will be granted for resubmission.
7. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
8. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No
opportunity for resubmission will be granted.
9. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
10. Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be subjected to
disciplinary processes.
11. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be
subjected to disciplinary processes. UNISA has zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any
other forms of academic dishonesty.
12. Students are provided one hour to submit their answer scripts after the official
examination time. Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected.
13. Only handwritten scripts will be accepted, typed scripts will be disqualified.
13. ALL MAJOR TESTS ARE STRICTLY CLOSED BOOK
QUESTION 1 [15]
The South African Constitution Act 108 of 1996 is the supreme law of the country. All
other legislation in South Africa must comply with the Constitution. Section 24 of the
Constitution guarantees the right to an environment that is not harmful to a person's
health or well-being. The government has a constitutional mandate to protect the
environment through legislative and other measures.
1.1. As a policymaker at the Department of Environmental Affairs, you have been
asked to present a paper at the upcoming environmental conference. Prepare
paper discussion points on the regulatory framework and related principles on
the protection of the environment.

Question 2 [16]
Following successful completion of your environmental engineering qualification, your
organisation a local municipality appointed you as an environmental engineer
responsible for solid waste disposal.
2.1. Discuss with your new team the elements of a properly designed sanitary
landfill solid waste disposal site. (6)
2.2. Develop a standard operating procedure for the disposal of solid waste material
at a sanitary waste disposal site. (10)

QUESTION 3 [20]
3.1. Compare critical factors to consider when selecting a wastewater treatment
system for a country like Switzerland and Lesotho (10)
3.2. Discuss environmental impacts to consider in wastewater treatment and sludge
management. (10)

QUESTION 4 [14]
4.1. In a laboratory experiment chlorine was added to a well-stirred beaker of
sample water from local groundwater, and the concentration of chlorine was measured
periodically. Derive the equation to describe the concentration of chlorine in a beaker
reactor as a function of time for a first-order decay reaction. (7)
4.2. A groundwater used as a drinking water supply contains 2.6 mg/L of Fe2+.
Calculate the amount of O2 that will be needed to oxidize it and the amount of Fe(OH)3
that will be produced. The reaction only proceeds to a concentration of 0.6 mg/L Fe2+.

(7)

Common questions

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Compliance requires students to submit handwritten answer scripts in a single PDF file, ensuring the document is neither password protected nor in draft form. Scripts must be uploaded during the designated time frame using registered student accounts, avoiding unofficial platforms. Previewing submissions for legibility and correctness, and utilizing invigilation tools are essential steps for adherence to submission guidelines .

Policymakers must align the regulatory framework with Section 24 of the South African Constitution, which guarantees the right to an environment that is not harmful to a person's health or well-being. This involves legislating measures that ensure environmental protection while considering social and economic impacts. Additionally, adherence to international environmental standards and integration of sustainable development principles are critical. Ensuring public participation and transparency in policy formulation processes is also essential .

Closed-book exams are strictly enforced to uphold academic honesty policies as they prevent students from accessing unauthorized materials. This aligns with UNISA's zero-tolerance policy towards plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, ensuring assessments accurately reflect individual understanding and competency in environmental engineering concepts .

For a first-order decay, the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the concentration of reactant, in this case, chlorine. The equation is expressed as C(t) = C_0 * e^(-kt), where C(t) is the concentration at time t, C_0 is the initial concentration, and k is the rate constant. This equation describes how chlorine concentration decreases exponentially over time .

Key environmental impacts include the potential for nutrient runoff leading to eutrophication, emissions of greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide, and issues related to the handling and disposal of sludge, which can contain pollutants and heavy metals. Proper treatment processes must mitigate these impacts by incorporating effective treatment and safe disposal protocols .

The amount of O2 needed is calculated from the reaction: 4Fe2+ + O2 + 10H2O → 4Fe(OH)3 + 8H+. The initial concentration of Fe2+ is 2.6 mg/L, which needs reducing to 0.6 mg/L, requiring oxidization of 2 mg/L Fe2+. Given the stoichiometry, 1 mole of O2 oxidizes 4 moles of Fe2+. Moles of Fe2+ = (2 mg/L) / 55.845 g/mol. Moles of O2 = moles of Fe2+ / 4. The mass of O2 required is then moles of O2 * 32 g/mol. The Fe(OH)3 produced follows (moles of Fe2+) * (106.87 g/mol Fe(OH)3).

Efficient operating procedures include sorting and weighing waste before disposal, compacting waste to minimize volume, covering waste daily to reduce exposure and odor, and regular monitoring of gas emissions and leachate production. Proper record-keeping and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations are also essential for operational efficiency .

A properly designed sanitary landfill site must include a liner system to prevent leachate migration, a leachate collection and treatment system, a gas management system for methane capture, a cover system to minimize water infiltration, and a system for monitoring environmental impacts. These elements ensure environmental protection and compliance with health regulations .

The South African Constitution, Act 108 of 1996, mandates environmental protection through Section 24, which assures citizens the right to an environment that does not harm their health or well-being. It requires the government to enact legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation, and secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources .

In Switzerland, high environmental and technological standards allow for advanced treatment systems focused on nutrient removal and energy efficiency. Cost considerations are less constraining, and the systems often use cutting-edge technologies. In Lesotho, the primary considerations include cost, ease of maintenance, and adaptability to local conditions, such as limited infrastructure and resources. Systems are often simpler with a focus on basic sanitation and reliability .

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