Course detail

Environmental Technology

FSI-EEPAcad. year: 2013/2014

Introduction into the theory of ecology and environmental protection in practice. Negative consequences of increased production and consumption of sources on the environment – global problems, legislation, alternative ways of power production etc. Methods, ways and procedures of elimination of consequences on particular sections of the environment (water, air, soil), the overall strategy of protection and minimizing of consequences in sense of sustainable development.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

This course provides students with knowledge and information which help them develop engineering creativity and give them basic idea about environmental pollution, especially consequences of industrial operations. Seminar suggests methods to minimize these consequences in relation to sustainable development.

Prerequisites

Students are familiar with information from freshman year of studies at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students have to write a paper in order to receive a credit. Exam is mostly written – students allot five questions and answer them in writing. Students who did not reach sufficient amount of points discuss their answers afterwards. If the student does not like written assessment, they may be examined orally.

Course curriculum

Lecture: 26 lessons, voluntary

Course Curriculum:

1. Introduction to environment protection theory
2. Short overview of environmental legislation. Act providing for environment and its protection.
3. Global environmental issues – global warming, thinning of ozone layer, acid atmospheric deposition, endangerment of biological diversification.
4. World and domestic ecological accidents. Impact on the environment.
5. Development and causes of negative impact of production and consumption on the environment.
6. Negative impact of agriculture on countryside, soil and water, air.
7. Impact of industries on the environment regarding the degree.
8. Negative impact of transport and other types of national economy.
9. Utilization of renewable sources of energy.
10. Technologies for water protection – methods of water purification.
11. Air protection – dispersion of pollutants, capturing of solid emissions.
12. Soil protection – technologies for soil decontamination.
13. Physical pollution – noise, electromagnetic radiation, ionizing radiation, thermal pollution.

Seminars: 13 lessons, compulsory
Course Curriculum:

1. Semester papers assignment.
2. The sources of energy and substances in the nature.
3. Video – global warming.
4. The consequences of industrial accidents on the environment.
5. Excursion – paper mill.
6. Mineral raw material sources in Czech Republic and their rational using.
7. Particular sources of environment pollution.
8. Laboratory methods – determination of pollutants in wastewater.
9. Excursion – wastewater treatment plant Brno – Modřice.
10. Circulation of water in the nature.
11. The effects of pollutants in the air on people.
12. Agricultural soil protection.
13. Semester papers presentations.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Course wishes to harmonize technical thinking of future bachelors/engineers with basic environmental principles (minimization of negative environmental impact of the industry). Students get acquainted with possibilities of all types of emission reductions, reduction of pollutants both surface and underground water, reduction of negative impact of physical technical technologies on water, soil and air.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The conditions for granting the credit: presentation of semester paper and active participation in all seminars and excursions. The teacher can assess a substantial condition in justified cases. The final test is written.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

CORBITT, Robert A.: Standard handbook of environmental engineering. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999, 1 s. ISBN 0-07-013160-0.
MEZŘICKÝ, V.: Základy ekologické politiky. Praha: Ministerstvo životního prostředí ČR, 1996, 156 s. ISBN 80-85368-96-X.
ROZMAN, J., POSPÍCHAL, Z.: Ekologické inženýrství. Ostrava: VŠB, 1996, 135 s. ISBN 80-7078-373-7.

Recommended reading

G. Kiely. 1998. Environmental Engineering. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998. 979 p. ISBN 0-07-709127-2.
Klass, DL. 1998. Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuels, and Chemicals. San Diego: Academic Press/Elsevier, 1998. 651 p.
Časopisy Odpady, Odpadové fórum, Ochrana ovzduší, Vodní hospodářství, Česká energetika, Alternativní energie
Věstník MŽP

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B3S-P Bachelor's

    branch B-EPP , 2. year of study, summer semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Introduction into the theory of environmental protection.
Primary parameters of biosphere, their specification.
Development and causes of negative effects of the production and consumption on the environment.
Negative effect of the agriculture on slash-grain wood, soil and waters, atmosphere.
Negative effect of industrial activities classified according to their measured interference.
Negative effects of transport and others sectors of the economy.
Negative effect of the consumers sphere.
Utilization of renewable energy supply, especially biomass.
Manners and facilities for wastes treatment (separating plant, incinerator, dump, compost).
An overview of legislation related to the environment.
Time schedule of activities and conferences concerning the permanent sustainable growth.
Tools for practical application to the environment (environmental audit, evaluating the influence on the environment).
EMS, EMAS and ISO methods, IPPC procedures .
Methods of cleaner production.

Exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Discussion on contemporary and future problems of the Earth, local, continental and global concerning environment.
Discussion on contemporary imbalance of consumption and production, especially in the area of water supply and energy and wastes production.
Excursion to the laboratory of fluid engineering.
Excursion to the boiler-room, burning the biomass.
Excursion to the control station of the company TEZA.
Excursion to the operation s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further work whater and nuclear power station Dukovany 1/6.
Excursion to the works of s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further Dalešice dam and nuclear power station Dukovany 2/6.
Excursion to the works of s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further Dalešice dam and nuclear power station Dukovany 3/6.
Excursion to the works of s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further Dalešice dam and nuclear power station Dukovany 4/6.
Excursion to the works of s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further Dalešice dam and nuclear power station Dukovany 5/6.
Excursion to the works of s.p. DIAMO, o.z. GEAM, further Dalešice dam and nuclear power station Dukovany 6/6.
Discussion on excursion reports.
Discussion on excursion reports.
Graded course-unit credit awarding.