Circular environmental technology (4281)
  
Coordinating lecturer :Prof. dr. Wouter SCHROEYERS 
  
Member of the teaching team :dr. Lowie BRABANTS 
 De heer Maarten JANS 

Language of instruction : English
Credits: 4,0
  
Period: semester 2 (4sp)
  
2nd 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:

  1. Methods of waste processing

    1. Pyrolysis, gasification and combustion

    2. Biological conversion methods

  2. 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:

  1. Sustainable materials management and Circular economy (Cradle to cradle)

  2. 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:

  1. 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:

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


Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Application Lecture ✔  
Teaching methods  
Case study ✔  


Evaluation

Semester 2 (4,00sp)

Evaluation method
Written exam100 %

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No


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 
    		• De student kan voor een gegeven reststroom een aangepaste afvalbehandelingstechniek beschrijven.

    De student kan voor specifieke cases strategieën voor duurzaam materiaalbeheer beschrijven
     
  •  DC 

    • DC2 - The studenthas insight in the basic concepts and methods.

      
  •  BC 
    		• De student kan het proces voor afvalpreventie en -zuivering uitwerken, rekening houdend met de geldige reglementering en kosten-batenanalyse.

    De student kan voor een gegeven reststroom een aangepaste afvalbehandelingstechnieken uitwerken en aanpassen.

    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 
    		• De student kan recyclage en hergebruik gerelateerde problemen herkennen en de uitwerking van een alternatieve aanpak initiëren.
     
  •  DC 

    • DC5 - The studentcan analyze problems, logically structure and interpret them.

      
  •  BC 
    		• De student kan problemen verbonden aan afvalbehandelingen, beheer van stortplaatsen en duurzaam materialenbeheer analyseren en interpreteren en een aanpak uitwerken.
     
  •  DC 

    • DC6 - The studentcan select methods and make calculated choices to solve problems or design solutions.

      
  •  BC 
    		• De student kan de relevante parameters voor de verschillende afvalbehandelingsmethoden en strategieën voor duurzaam materialenbeheer beoordelen.
     
  •  DC 

    • DC7 - The studentcan use selected methods and tools to implement solutions and designs.

      
  •  BC 
    		• De student kan duurzame milieu- en energietechnieken bespreken met hun voor- en nadelen en ook voorstellen doen naar de implementatie ervan.

    De student kan milieuzorgsystemen en -management praktisch toepassen.
     
  •  DC 

    • DC8 - The studentcan evaluate knowledge and skills critically to adjust own reasoning and course of action accordingly.

      
  •  BC 
    		• De student kan het proces voor preventie en zuivering bepalen, rekening houdend met de geldige reglementering en kosten-batenanalyse.
 
  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
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.