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BSEN40320

Academic Year 2024/2025

Waste to Energy Processes & Technologies (BSEN40320)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Tom Curran
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce students to fundamental principles of waste management, with particular emphasis on energy recovery. Waste generation and waste characterisation are examined, as are techniques for waste collection, storage, transport, utilisation (including recycling and recovery). The focus of the module is on the application of engineering science to develop integrated waste management systems incorporating energy recovery.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Explain the waste management hierarchy.
- Describe the key waste management legislation at national and EU levels.
- Specify the essential elements to be included in a waste management plan.
- Calculate land requirements in a nutrient management plan.
- Outline the main features in the design and operation of a modern landfill.
- Critically assess the design principles and operation of composting facilities.
- Reflect and assess on the key features and calculate design parameters and efficiencies of waste-to-energy technologies such as anaerobic digestion, incineration and gasification.

Indicative Module Content:

Key topics to be covered during this module include:
- Waste management legislation;
- Waste management planning and design;
- Nutrient management and land requirements;
- Composting,
- Digestion,
-Incineration,
- Landfill design;
- Design parameters of Advanced waste to energy processes.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

120

Autonomous Student Learning

94

Lectures

24

Online Learning

12

Total

250


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Content delivered in lecture format with time allowed for discussion for problem-based learning in groups.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN30240 - Waste Management


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Waste to energy assignment. Week 14 Graded No
30
No
Group Work Assignment: Site selection and outline design of integrated waste management facility. Week 12 Graded No
20
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual assignment. Week 14 Graded No
50
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback provided post-assessment.

EPA www.epa.ie
https://www.epa.ie/environment-and-you/circular-economy/

Book: SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities - Moving Forward with the Circular Economy
Edited By Shyama V. Ramani, Hiroshan Hettiarachchi - the link to the ebook should be free through UCD Library...
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003205975/sdg-11-sustainable-cities-communities-shyama-ramani-hiroshan-hettiarachchi
Chapter in above book - the link to the ebook should be free through UCD Library...
How Ireland Reduced its Active Landfills - A true tale of policy-driven change
By Thomas P. Curran, Orna O’Sullivan

IEA Task 36 seminar on valorisation of fly ash https://task36.ieabioenergy.com/publications/webinar-valorisation-of-fly-ash-from-waste-to-energy/

Best practice for waste management (WasteBEMP)
https://susproc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/product-bureau/sites/default/files/inline-files/WasteManagementBEMP.pdf

Name Role
Dr Rajat Nag Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 11:00 - 11:50