Informatie opleidingsonderdeel

De elektronische studiegids voor het academiejaar 2025 - 2026 is onder voorbehoud.

Circular environmental technology (4281)


Coordinating lecturer :	Prof. dr. Wouter SCHROEYERS

Member of the teaching team :	De heer Maarten JANS

Language of instruction : English

Credits: 4,0

Period: semester 2 (4sp)

2^nd Chance Exam¹: Yes

Final grade²: Numerical


Exam contract: not possible

Sequentiality

No sequentiality

Content

The Circular Environmental Technology course consists of 4 parts:

(1) Techniques for waste/residue treatment and strategies for safe landfill management

(2) Sustainable energy and materials management: options for implementing a circular economy, cradle to cradle

(3) Sustainable materials management (reuse, recycling,...) applied to industries impacted by naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)

(4) Circularity applied in the nuclear sector (nuclear dismantling / prevention and approach to radioactive waste...)

Part 1 Waste/residue handling techniques and strategies for safe landfill management

In particular, the usability of available treatment techniques for different waste types is assessed. When choosing a suitable processing technique, a trade-off is made between various technological, legislative and economic factors. In addition, the course o.a. also deals with the construction, impact and management of landfills. Throughout the course, consequences of environmental policies are examined.

The following aspects are discussed:

Methods of waste processing
1. Pyrolysis, gasification and combustion
2. Biological conversion methods
Construction, impact and management of landfills

Part 2 sustainable materials and energy management (cradle to cradle)

Within the waste policies, the emphasis is slowly shifting from waste processing to sustainable materials management. Potential waste prevention measures and strategies for sustainable materials management have a special place in this course. In the context of sustainable materials management, the concept of 'Cradle to Cradle' (waste = food) is discussed in detail. In addition, the necessary attention is paid to the energy transition and the application of sustainable energy techniques.

The following aspects are discussed:

Sustainable materials management and Circular economy (Cradle to cradle)
Energy transition & sustainable energy techniques (incl. regulations)

Part 3 Sustainable materials management applied to NORM

The 3rd part specifically looks at the recycling and reuse options of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). In particular, the options for reusing NORM residues in construction materials (cement binders, concrete, etc.) are discussed in detail.

The following aspects are discussed:

Reuse and recycling of NORM residues in several industrial sectors
1. Recycling in construction materials
2. Recycling in agriculture and related applications
3. Extraction of metals and rare earths

Part 4 Sustainable materials management applied to the Nuclear sector

The 4th part deals with options for sustainable materials management in the nuclear sector (including nuclear decommissioning and tackling radioactive waste).

The following aspects are discussed:

Nuclear dismantling
Prevention and tackling of radioactive waste...)

Organisational and teaching methods

Organisational methods
	Application Lecture ✔
Teaching methods
	Case study ✔

Evaluation

Period 2 Credits 4,00

Evaluation method

Written exam

100 %

Oral explanation

✔

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt

Learning outcomes

Master of Nuclear Engineering Technology

EC	EC6 - The holder of the degree, with a specialization in Environmental Engineering Technology, has acquired specialist and profound knowledge of, insight and skills in environmental technological domains such as environment analysis, approach and prevention of environmental issues, environmental process technology, environmental regulations and sustainable materials and energy management.
	DC	DC1 - The studenthas knowledge of the basic concepts, structures and coherence.
		BC	The student can describe an adapted waste treatment technique for a given residual flow. The student can describe strategies for sustainable materials management for specific cases.
		BC	The student can describe an adapted waste treatment technique for a given residual flow. The student can describe strategies for sustainable materials management for specific cases.
	DC	DC2 - The studenthas insight in the basic concepts and methods.
		BC	The student can develop the process for waste prevention and purification, taking into account the applicable regulations and cost-benefit analysis. The student can develop and adapt appropriate waste treatment techniquesfor a given residual flow. The student can develop and adapt strategies for sustainable materials management for specific cases.
		BC	The student can develop the process for waste prevention and purification, taking into account the applicable regulations and cost-benefit analysis. The student can develop and adapt appropriate waste treatment techniquesfor a given residual flow. De student kan voor specifieke cases, strategieën voor duurzaam materialenbeheer uitwerken en aanpassen.
	DC	DC3 - The studentcan recognize problems, plan activities and perform accordingly.
		BC	The student can recognize recycling and reuse related problems and initiate the development of an alternative approach.
		BC	The student can recognize recycling and reuse related problems and initiate the development of an alternative approach.
	DC	DC5 - The studentcan analyze problems, logically structure and interpret them.
		BC	The student can analyse and interpret problems associated with waste treatment, landfill management and sustainable materials management and develop an optimised approach.
		BC	The student can analyse and interpret problems associated with waste treatment, landfill management and sustainable materials management and develop an optimised approach.
	DC	DC6 - The studentcan select methods and make calculated choices to solve problems or design solutions.
		BC	The student can assess the relevant parameters for different waste treatment methods and strategies for sustainable materials management.
		BC	The student can assess the relevant parameters for different waste treatment methods and strategies for sustainable materials management.
	DC	DC7 - The studentcan use selected methods and tools to implement solutions and designs.
		BC	The student can discuss sustainable environmental and energy technologies with their advantages and disadvantages and also make proposals for their implementation. The student can practically apply environmental care systemsand management.
		BC	The student can discuss sustainable environmental and energy technologies with their advantages and disadvantages and also make proposals for their implementation. The student can practically apply environmental care systemsand management.
	DC	DC8 - The studentcan evaluate knowledge and skills critically to adjust own reasoning and course of action accordingly.
		BC	The student can determine the process for prevention and purification, taking into account the applicable regulations and cost-benefit analysis.
		BC	The student can determine the process for prevention and purification, taking into account the applicable regulations and cost-benefit analysis.

EC = learning outcomes DC = partial outcomes BC = evaluation criteria

Offered in	Tolerance³
Exchange Programme Engineering Technology	J
Master of Nuclear Engineering Technology - Environmental Engineering Technology	J

¹ Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.

² Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.

³ Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.