RE4S013 - Industrial Resource Recovery 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RE4S013
Module Title: Industrial Resource Recovery
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Research and Innovation
Faculty Sub Group: Sustainable Environment Research Centre
Module Leader: Christian Laycock
Module Team: Tim Patterson, Jaime Massanet-Nicolau, Michal Czachor, Rhys Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100175 - energy engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

Understand the various processes and technologies that underpin the thermal, chemical, and mechanical recovery of resources from wastes.

Recognise and critically evaluate the factors affecting the selection, design and utilisation of these processes.

Critically assess environmental, economic and social benefits and impacts of using these processes to drive a circular economy.

Content Summary

This module concerns the treatment of wastes and production of products utilising thermal, chemical, and mechanical processes.

The module includes methods commonly used for potable/process water treatment e.g. coagulation with polyaluminium chloride, filtration processes, and disinfection by chlorination, ozonation, UV or membrane technology.

The module discusses mechanical recovery facilities for the production of refuse derived fuels and recycling streams.

Thermal processes for energy recovery and processing of refuse derived fuel. The utilisation of biomass in combustion, co-firing and CHP systems. Incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification of refuse derived fuels.

Gas upgrading processes including thermochemical and biological routes to syngas are discussed and compared.

Sustainability issues in terms of materials recovery/disposal and water and energy conversion and economic assessment of the various typical process flow diagrams are discussed and studied.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 30
Practical classes and workshops 6
External visits 12
Independent Study 147
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 5
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate the environmental and economic benefits and impacts of utilising these processes in terms of treatment efficiency, energy savings, or net energy yield as well as production of other products from waste sources.
LO2 Demonstrate a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the scientific and technical principles of these processes including process selection, design and operation for each process.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Students produce a report reflecting upon the processes employed at the plant visited drawing upon lectures, individual reading and the site visit. 0 2000 40 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Students prepare and deliver a presentation on a technology of their choice used for resource recovery in an industrial context. 15 N/A 30 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Class test. Students are examined for their knowledge and skills gained from lectures and module content 60 N/A 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Sims, Ralph E. H., (Edited by) (2004) Bioenergy options for a cleaner environment in developed and developing countries, Amsterdam ; Boston : Elsevier.

Dufour, A., (2016) Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for the Production of Energy and Chemicals. John Wiley and Sons inc.

Lund H.F., (1992) The McGraw-Hill Recycling Handbook, London; New York. McGraw-Hill.

Macaskie, L., Sapsford, D., Mayes, Wi., (Edited by) (2019) Resource Recovery from Wastes: Towards a Circular Economy. Royal Society of Chemistry.

The Water Supply (Water Quality) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 SI No.3184 (2010).

World Health Organization Water Treatment and Pathogen Control: Process Efficiency in Achieving Safe Drinking Water. 2004. Edited by Mark W LeChevallier and Kwok-Keung Au. Published by IWA Publishing, London, UK.ISBN: 1 84339 069 8.

WHO. Water Pollution Control: A Guide to Water Quality Management Principles, 1997.