What is Environmental

Engineering?
Majors Night October 18, 2006
Presentation Overview
Presentation Overview

What is Environmental Engineering (
What is Environmental Engineering (
EnvE
EnvE
)?
)?
History History
Examples Examples

Environmental Engineering at Penn State
Environmental Engineering at Penn State
Faculty Faculty
Research Research
Courses Courses
What is Environmental Engineering?
What is Environmental Engineering?

The monitoring, improvement, & protection
The monitoring, improvement, & protection
of the environment through design
of the environment through design
Some examples of Environmental
Some examples of Environmental
Engineering today
Engineering today

Treatment of surface water,
Treatment of surface water,
groundwater, waste water, soil, & air
groundwater, waste water, soil, & air

Management of wetlands & watersheds
Management of wetlands & watersheds

Disposal of solid & hazardous wastes
Disposal of solid & hazardous wastes

Production of renewable energy
Production of renewable energy

Design of
Design of

green
green

products
products
Environmental Engineering at
Environmental Engineering at
Penn State University
Penn State University
Dr. Rachel Brennan Dr. Bill Burgos Dr. Fred Cannon Dr. Brian Dempsey
Dr. Bruce Logan Dr. Bruce Logan Dr. J ack Matson Dr. J ay Regan Dr. Ray Regan
Environmental Engineering Faculty
Environmental Engineering Faculty
at Penn State University
at Penn State University
Environmental Engineering Research
Environmental Engineering Research
BioEnergy BioEnergy Production Production
Microbial fuel cells, biological hydrogen production Microbial fuel cells, biological hydrogen production
Bioremediation Bioremediation
Perchlorate, metals, radionuclides, acid mine drainage, Perchlorate, metals, radionuclides, acid mine drainage,
volatile organic compounds, nitrate volatile organic compounds, nitrate
Drinking water treatment Drinking water treatment
Activated carbon filtration, membrane filtration, coagulation Activated carbon filtration, membrane filtration, coagulation
Wastewater treatment Wastewater treatment
Nitrification, urban runoff Nitrification, urban runoff
Solid waste management Solid waste management
Ecopreneering Ecopreneering
Eco Eco- -building, eco building, eco- -village, eco village, eco- -products, eco products, eco- -etc. etc.
BioEnergy Production:
Producing Electricity During Wastewater Treatment
Using Microbial fuel cell (MFC)
A MFC is a device that use bacteria as a
biocatalyst to oxidize organic matter and
produce electricity. The bacteria (attached to
the anode) produce electrons that travel to the
cathode (current).
Proton Exchange
membrane (PEM)
load
Anode Cathode
b
a
c
t
e
r
i
a
Oxidation
products
(CO
2
)
Fuel
(wastes)
e
-
e
-
Oxidant
(O
2
)
Reduced
oxidant
(H
2
O)
H
+
This is a single-chambered
MFC, developed by Professor
Logans group at Penn State,
to treat wastewater and
produce electricity
Reference: Liu et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. (2004)
Bruce Logan, Professor of Environmental Engineering
Demonstration of a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)
Demonstration of a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)
See a MFC working in real time: www.engr.psu.edu/mfccam
Biological Hydrogen Production
Hydrogen can be produced by bacteria from
fermentation of sugars
Gas is 60% pure H
2
(balance is carbon dioxide)
H
2
- from any biomass using microbial electrolysis cells
(MECs)
H
2
Cathode
CO
2
e
-
H
+
e
-
Bacteria
Anode
PEM
No oxygen in
cathode chamber
PS
Ref: Liu et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2005)
No oxygen in
anode chamber
0.25 V needed
(vs 1.8 V for water electrolysis)
Drinking water treatment:
Perchlorate bioremediation 4
Perchlorate respiring
culture (optional)
Supplemental carbon source with
(optional) N, P addition
Backwash with
chlorate, N, P,
acetate
Contaminated
water source
Perchlorate
free water
Sand
filter
ATTRIBUTES:
Continuous perchlorate removal
Clogging avoided by intermittent
backwash
Biofilm regeneration by side
process
Patent No.
6214607
Perchlorate (used in
rocket propellent)
can be degraded
using bacteria.
Bioremediation of Groundwater: enhancing the
transport of pollutant-degrading bacteria
Saturated Zone
Injection Well
Withdrawal well
Zone of reactive
colloidal particles
Using atomic force
microscopy to
understand bacterial
adhesion at the
nano-scale.
Bioremediation of Metals and
Radionuclides
Soluble U(VI) Insoluble UO
2
(s)
Soluble Cr(VI) Insoluble Cr(OH)
3
(s)
Soluble Tc(VII) Insoluble TcO
2
(s)
Rate 1 Rate 2
Rate 3
Cell-free
UO
2
(s) U(VI)(aq)
Biogenic UO
2
(s)
nanoparticles
How is AMD formed?
How is AMD formed?
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is caused by physical & Acid mine drainage (AMD) is caused by physical &
chemical weathering of pyrite (fools gold), FeS chemical weathering of pyrite (fools gold), FeS
2 2
Very common problem in Pennsylvania Very common problem in Pennsylvania
Abandoned coal mines Abandoned coal mines
I I - -99 construction! 99 construction!

Yellow Boy
Yellow Boy

Formation from Typical Mines

Formation from Typical Mines
Elevated aluminum in
mine water discharge
Elevated iron in mine
water discharge
Passivetreatment
system for mine
discharge
Untreated mine
discharge
Innovative Treatment of Acid
Innovative Treatment of Acid
-
-
Mine Drainage
Mine Drainage
J on Dietz & Prof. Dempsey J on Dietz & Prof. Dempsey
Inflow
Mixer
Air
Reactor Tank
Settling Tank
Iron Precipitate
Inflow
Mixer
Air
Reactor Tank
Settling Tank
Iron Precipitate
Inflow
Mixer
Air
Reactor Tank
Settling Tank
Iron Precipitate
Abiotic treatment with recirculation,
pH 5.5 to 6.8
IRR > 1000 g/m
2
/d
High-density sludge
Temperature Compensated &
Normalized by Fe(II), Fe(III), & DO
y =2.195x - 15.821
R
2
=0.976
y =0.9006x - 7.7207
R
2
=0.2257
-4.2
-3.5
-2.8
-2.1
-1.4
5.0 5.4 5.8 6.2 6.6 7.0
pH
l
o
g
(
K
t
o
t
/
D
O
/
F
e
(
I
I
I
)
)
y=0.6602x
2
- 6.8299x +18.605
R
2
=0.776
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
5 5.5 6 6.5
pH
L
o
g

N
o
r
m
a
l
i
z
e
d

[
F
e
(
I
I
)
S
o
r
b
]
Model Data Poly. (Data)
Field and Laboratory Analyses of PA Streams
Field and Laboratory Analyses of PA Streams
Degraded by Acid
Degraded by Acid
-
-
Mine Drainage
Mine Drainage
Byungtae Park & Prof. Dempsey Byungtae Park & Prof. Dempsey
Evaluation of Porous Pavement & Infiltration to
Evaluation of Porous Pavement & Infiltration to
Prevent to Deal with Flooding and Urban Runoff
Prevent to Deal with Flooding and Urban Runoff
David Swisher & Prof. Dempsey David Swisher & Prof. Dempsey
Table 6.2. Chemical Analysis for 6/4/02 Storm Event
Porous Lot Control Lot
Ca, mg/L 12.5 13.5
Cu, mg/L <0.02 <0.02
Mg, mg/L 1.7 0.38
Pb, mg/L <0.05 <0.05
Zn, mg/L 0.2 0.06
Alk, mg/L 25.5 25.4
pH 6.4 5.9
COD, mg/L 57.2 75.5
Membrane Filtration for the Production of Potable
Membrane Filtration for the Production of Potable
Water & for Re
Water & for Re
-
-
use of Wastewater
use of Wastewater
Kevin Choi & Prof. Dempsey Kevin Choi & Prof. Dempsey
-5.0
-4.5
-4.0
-3.5
6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
pH
l
o
g

A
l
Alum
PAC70
ACH
ACH w/acid
27.5
38.5
36.8
23.8
11.2
30.5
26.1
ZP = 0
% removal of TOC is given next to points
Drinking Water Treatment
Drinking Water Treatment
Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater Treatment
Environmental Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology
AOB
clones
from pilot
plant
0.1
Nm.oligotropha Nm45
Nm.ureae
Nm. AL212
Nm. J L21
Nm. aestuarii Nm36
Nm. marina Nm22
Nm. cryotolerans
Nm. europaea
Nm. eutropha C91
Nm. halophila Nm1
Nc. mobilis Nc2
Nm. communis Nm2
Nm. nitrosa Nm90
Ns. tenuis
Ns. briensis C128
Ns. multiformis 25196
Gallionella ferruginea
Rhodocyclus sp
Propionivibrio dicarboxylicus
Ralstonia eutropha
Nc. halophilus Nc2
Nc. oceanus C27
Escherichia coli ATCC11775T
2 clones
3 clones
11 clones
4 clones
11 clones
Nitrosomona
s oligotropha
cluster
marina
cluster
europaea
cluster
communis
cluster
Nitrosospira
Brennan Research Group Brennan Research Group
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Enhanced Bioremediation of Soil &
Enhanced Bioremediation of Soil &
Groundwater Contaminants through
Groundwater Contaminants through
Alternative Nutrient & Delivery Techniques
Alternative Nutrient & Delivery Techniques
Groundwater Contamination by
Groundwater Contamination by
Tetrachloroethene (PCE)
Tetrachloroethene (PCE)
Dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) Dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL)
Difficult to remove using Difficult to remove using pump & treat pump & treat
Microorganisms can gain energy by degrading PCE Microorganisms can gain energy by degrading PCE
Reductive dechlorination (a.k.a. Reductive dechlorination (a.k.a. halorespiration halorespiration ) )
SC-80
SC-40 SC-20
Chitin from Crab Shells
Chitin from Crab Shells
H
CH
2
OH
H
H
H
H
H
OH
NH
C=O
CH
3
OH
O
Pilot
Pilot
-
-
& Full
& Full
-
-
scale Chitin Injection
scale Chitin Injection
at the Distler Brickyard Superfund Site!
at the Distler Brickyard Superfund Site!

Chitin fractured into ground
Chitin fractured into ground
3 fracture depths per borehole (~24, 33, & 38 ft 3 fracture depths per borehole (~24, 33, & 38 ft bgs bgs) )
250 gallons/frac 250 gallons/frac
150 lb chitin, 550 lb sand, (also guar, crosslinker, & breaker) 150 lb chitin, 550 lb sand, (also guar, crosslinker, & breaker)
Denitrification of Drinking Water
Supplies using Chitin
Potentially an efficient & inexpensive method for treating Potentially an efficient & inexpensive method for treating
nitrate nitrate- -contaminated drinking water contaminated drinking water
Ex., in underdeveloped countries Ex., in underdeveloped countries
Treatment of Mine Drainage Using Chitin
Chitin Treatment of AMD Works!
Chitin Treatment of AMD Works!
Acidity & metals Acidity & metals
concentrations drop concentrations drop
rapidly (in just weeks) rapidly (in just weeks)
using chitin! using chitin!
-200
-100
0
100
200
300
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (days)
A
c
i
d
i
t
y
,

A
l
k
a
l
i
n
i
t
y

(
m
g
/
L

a
s

C
a
C
O
3
)



3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
p
H



.
Acidity Alkalinity pH
Treatment of Perchlorate
Treatment of Perchlorate
in Vadose Zone Soils
in Vadose Zone Soils
Thousands of tons of ClO Thousands of tons of ClO
4 4
- -
have been released into have been released into
environment since 1950s environment since 1950s
GEDIT Technology developed by CDM: GEDIT Technology developed by CDM:
Injection
Well
Groundwater
Vadose Vadose
Zone Zone
GED
GED
GED
GED
GED
GED
Electron Acceptor
(perchlorate)
Electron Acceptor
(perchlorate)
Gaseous Electron Donor Injection
Gaseous Electron Donor Injection
GED =Gaseous Electron Donor GED =Gaseous Electron Donor
Vadose
Vadose
-
-
Zone Perchlorate Remediation
Zone Perchlorate Remediation
Electron Donor
Sampling Ports
Humidified N
2
(variable flow)
Site soil contaminated with perchlorate
N
2
(makeup gas)
N
2
(constant flow)
N
2
Mass Flow
Controllers
Mass flow controllers Mass flow controllers
Humidification Humidification
bottle bottle
Computer Computer
Soil column
Electron donor
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management
Eco
Eco
-
-
Village: an Ultimate Environmental
Village: an Ultimate Environmental
Engineering Challenge
Engineering Challenge
J ack V. Matson PhD, PE J ack V. Matson PhD, PE
Professor of Environmental Engineering Professor of Environmental Engineering
Penn State University Penn State University
What is an Eco
What is an Eco
-
-
Village?
Village?

Sustainable:
Sustainable:
Generates minimal wastes Generates minimal wastes
Economically self sufficient Economically self sufficient
Uses renewable energy Uses renewable energy
Produces organic food Produces organic food
Follows LEED criteria Follows LEED criteria
LEED Building Standards
LEED Building Standards
(Green Building Association) (Green Building Association)
Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Leadership in Energy and Environment Design
Enhance Indoor air quality Enhance Indoor air quality
Minimize use of energy and water Minimize use of energy and water
Use sustainable materials of construction Use sustainable materials of construction
Rely primarily on pedestrian and bicycles for Rely primarily on pedestrian and bicycles for
transportation needs transportation needs
Ecopreneering
Ecopreneering

Design and build eco villages
Design and build eco villages

Represent eco products,
Represent eco products,
eg
eg
. wind turbines
. wind turbines

Design eco buildings
Design eco buildings

Eco water efficiency
Eco water efficiency

Eco education
Eco education

Eco creativity
Eco creativity
Eco-Building
Exterior
Eco-Building
Interior
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Courses at Penn State University
Courses at Penn State University
Environmental Engineering Courses at Penn State
Environmental Engineering Courses at Penn State
Required courses in the CE Required courses in the CE
undergraduate curriculum undergraduate curriculum
(effective Fall 2006 for incoming students): (effective Fall 2006 for incoming students):
Intro to Environmental Engineering, CE 370
Elective courses in the CE Elective courses in the CE
undergraduate curriculum: undergraduate curriculum:
Water and Wastewater Treatment, CE 371
Environmental Engineering Design, CE 472W
Water Quality Chemistry, CE 475
Solid/Hazardous Wastes, CE 476
Environmental Microbiology, CE 479
Many graduate level courses open Many graduate level courses open
to to UGs UGs with permission! with permission!
CE 370
CE 370

Introduction to Environmental
Introduction to Environmental
Engineering
Engineering

Topics:
Topics:
Environmental ethics, impact assessments Environmental ethics, impact assessments
Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund
Water & wastewater treatment Water & wastewater treatment
Bioremediation & hazardous waste treatment Bioremediation & hazardous waste treatment
LEED standards, Green construction & design LEED standards, Green construction & design
Alternative energy production, Recycling Alternative energy production, Recycling

Emphasis:
Emphasis:
Application of ideas to everyday life Application of ideas to everyday life
Preparation for the FE exam Preparation for the FE exam
Other ways to get involved in
Other ways to get involved in
Environmental Engineering research:
Environmental Engineering research:

Work
Work
-
-
study
study

Wage payroll
Wage payroll

Independent study
Independent study

Honors thesis
Honors thesis
Contact professors directly and discuss your interests! Contact professors directly and discuss your interests!