UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

SECOND SEMESTER/YEARLY EXAMINATIONS

MAY/JUNE 2013
PROGRAMME

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (Full-Time)

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (Part-Time)

MODULE NAME
DATE

Wastewater Engineering
Monday

MODULE CODE

20 May 2013

TIME

NO. OF
QUESTIONS SET

13:30 15:30 Hrs

CIVE 4016

DURATION

NO. OF QUESTIONS
TO BE ATTEMPTED

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer Any Four (4) Questions
All questions carry equal marks.

CIVE 3223(5)/

2 hours

WASTEWATER ENGINEERING CIVE 3223(5)/CIVE 4016

Question 1
(a)

Define the term population equivalent.

[4 marks]

(b)

The Wastewater Authority has decided to construct a wastewater treatment plant

for the region of Reduit. Predict the population for the years 2021, 2031, 2034, and
2041 from the following census figures by the methods listed hereunder.
(i)

Arithmetic Increase Method

(ii)

Geometric Increase Method

(iii)

Incremental Increase Method

[6 marks]
[6 marks]
[6 marks]
Year
Population:
(thousands)
(c)

1941
60

1951
65

1961
63

1971
72

1981
79

1991
89

2001
97

2011
120

What are the factors you would consider when determining the design period of
the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Q 1(b)?
[3 marks]

Question 2
(a)

The hydraulic design of sewers and drains is similar to that of the water
reticulation systems. However, flows in sewers and water supply pipes are
different. Briefly describe the major differences.
[5 marks]

(b)

For a particular sewer network, the minimum and maximum velocities of the
sewage circulating in the pipe have been specified. Why according to you the
velocities specified should be adhered to?
[5 marks]

(c)

As the design engineer on a particular sewer network, you will have to position
sewer accessories. List 4 such accessories you would consider implementing and
briefly describe their relative importance.
[8 marks]

(d)

What are the design parameters that the design engineer need to convey to the
contractor for the construction of the sewer network? Justify each data required.
[7 marks]

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WASTEWATER ENGINEERING CIVE 3223(5)/CIVE 4016

Question 3
(a)

As a wastewater consultant, you have been requested to design the wastewater

treatment plant for a new hotel. List the different unit operations that will be
included in the plant. For each unit operation briefly explain its function and
specify its treatment devices.
[15 marks]

(b)

For the project outlined in Q3 (a) justify the type of screen you would select for
removing bigger suspended or floating matter from the sewage.
[5 marks]

(c)

After leaving the screening unit the wastewater is directed towards an

equalization tank. Explain the importance of such a unit.
[5 marks]

Question 4
(a)

Briefly describe the two types of grit chambers.

[5 marks]

(b)

Design a rectangular sedimentation tank to treat 2.4 million litres of raw water per
day. The detention period may be assumed to be 3 hours.
[5 marks]

(c)

Micro-organisms are classified into four different groups, write short notes on any
two groups.
[5 marks]

(d)

For a municipal wastewater treatment plant draw the activated sludge process
diagram.
[5 marks]

(e)

Write short notes on

(i)

Cesspool

(ii)

Seepage pit
[5 marks]

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WASTEWATER ENGINEERING CIVE 3223(5)/CIVE 4016

Question 5
(a)

Design a completely mixed activated sludge system to serve 60,000 people that
will give a final effluent that is nitrified and has 5-day BOD not exceeding
25 mg/L.
The following design data is available.
Sewage flow =9000 m3/day
BOD5 = 360 mg/L
BODu = 1.47 BOD5
Total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) = 53 mg/L
Phosphorus = 13.3 mg/L
Winter temperature in aeration tank = 18C
Yield coefficient Y = 0.6 ;
Decay constant Kd = 0.07 per day
Specific substrate utilization rate = (0.038 mg/L)-1 (h)-1 at 18C
Assume 30% raw BOD5 is removed in primary sedimentation, and BOD5 going to
aeration is, therefore, 252 mg/l (0.7 x 360 mg/L).
[15 marks]

(b)

Write short notes on any 2 aerobic treatment units.

[2x2 marks]

(c)

Describe briefly how you would dispose of treated effluent.

[3x2 marks]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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