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CE 3611 2017 Model Answer

This document contains model answers for environmental engineering questions from a 2017 midterm exam. It addresses concepts such as oxidation-reduction, disinfection by-products, biochemical oxygen demand, and unit operations/processes for water treatment. Key details are provided on rate laws for chemical reactions, kinetic parameters determined from experimental data, and the relative advantages and applications of physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods.

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45 views

CE 3611 2017 Model Answer

This document contains model answers for environmental engineering questions from a 2017 midterm exam. It addresses concepts such as oxidation-reduction, disinfection by-products, biochemical oxygen demand, and unit operations/processes for water treatment. Key details are provided on rate laws for chemical reactions, kinetic parameters determined from experimental data, and the relative advantages and applications of physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods.

Uploaded by

afzal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Env. Eng.

2017 mid model answers

Q1)

(a)

(unit operations are enough)

(b)

(unit operations are enough)

Page 1 of 3
Env. Eng. 2017 mid model answers

II.

(a) Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or
ion./Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom,
or ion.
(b) Once the liquid is aerated (i.e. exposed to air), the gas will transfer from highly concentrated
liquid to lowly concentrated air (movement is from high density to low density)
(c) Disinfectants may react with naturally present fulvic and humic acids, amino acids, and other
natural organic matter, as well as iodide and bromide ions, to produce a range of DBPs such
as the trihalomethanes. DBPs are toxic and carcinogenic
(d) Inbreed depression: breeding as a result of mating between species with the same/similar
genes
(e) Malthusianism is the idea that population growth is potentially exponential while the growth
of the food supply is arithmetical at best.
(f) Biochemical oxygen demand: Amount of oxygen needed to biologically oxidise the organic
matter present in water
(g) A measure of the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons and thereby be
reduced
(h) Forcing someone to use so called environmentally friendly products or services, even when
they really do not need

Q2

I.

(a) Rate = k[NO]x [Cl2]y


From Expt. (1),
1.2×10-4 = k[0.010]x [0.010]y ... (i)
From Expt. (2),
2.4×10-4 = k[0.010]x[0.020]y ... (ii)
(i)/(ii)
(9.6×10-4)/(2.4×10-4) = ([0.020]x )/[0.010]x
or 2 = (2)y
y=1
From Expt. (2), 2.4×10-4 = k[0.010]x [0.020]y .... (ii)
From Expt. (3), 9.6×10-4 = k[0.020]x [0.020]y .... (ii)
(ii)/(iii)
(9.6 × 10-4)/(2.4 × 10-4) = ([0.020]x )/[0.010]x
or 4 = 2x
x=2
Order of reaction = x + y = 2 + 1 = 3
Rate law for the reaction is
Rate = k[NO]2 [Cl2]

(b) Considering Eq. (i) again,

Page 2 of 3
Env. Eng. 2017 mid model answers

1.2 × 10-4 = k[0.010]2 [0.010]


k = (1.2×10-4)/[0.010]3 = 1.2×102 litre2/mol2 sec1

II.

(a) Treatment methods in which the application of physical forces predominates are known
as physical unit operations - (Screening, mixing, flocculation, sedimentation, flotation,
filtration, and gas transfer)

Treatment methods in which the removal or conversion of contaminants is brought about by


the addition of chemicals or by other chemical reactions are known as chemical unit
processes - (Precipitation, adsorption, and disinfection)

Treatment methods in which the removal of contaminants is brought about by biological


activity are known as biological unit processes. (Anaerobic filtration, activated sludge
blanket processes, constructed wetlands)

(b) Chemical unit process use chemicals that cause side effects, less energy consumption than
physical unit operations (i.e. physical methods more energy is needed). Also, meeting
permissible effluent levels by chemical or physical methods along is difficult and/or costly
(thus a combination of physical and chemical at least needed).

Biological treatment methods use less to no (externally supplied) energy, and uses naturally
available microorganisms to degrade/convert pollutants to less harmful substances. Also,
most of the biological treatment methods need less supervision.

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