ENE806 - Environmental Engineering Process Laboratory


Syllabus: Spring Semester 2026

 

OBJECTIVE:

At the end of this environmental engineering process lab course you will be able to formulate hypotheses related to environmental engineering processes of medium complexity, plan and design experiments, collect and analyze data to test the formulated hypotheses, use/validate mathematical models capable of describing the processes, and draw conclusions with due attention to statistical power and quality of data. You will also gain experience in making presentations and writing technical reports.  

EXPERIMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES:

We plan to complete three experiments focusing on two different environmental engineering processes. We have a total of 14 weeks during which we have planned two experiments. The first set of four experiments (you are expected to choose only one from this set of experiments) is focused on physico-chemical processes important to environmental engineering. The second experiment, although constrained with respect to the setup and analytical techniques used, is open-ended. Using experimental set-up and analytical techniques, you are expected to propose a hypothesis, conduct the designed experiment, collect and analyze data, and based on the data, either prove or disprove the proposed hypothesis.

Experiment 1: Experiment to be selected from the list below; 4-6 weeks

At the start of Experiment 1, we will form teams of 2 students per group. Your choice is fine, which will remain the same for subsequent experiment(s). Each team will select an experiment from the list of experiments below. Additional consideration e.g., availability of experimental set-ups, equipment, and probes may be necessary before making the final selection.

  1. Oxygen Transfer Efficiency- KLa (Column with spargers and N2/Air supply and O2 probes)  (2007)
  2. Performance of Plug Flow Reactors (2007) and CSTRs in Series (Jar Tests Base and stirrer + CSTR) (2007, 2010)
  3. Water Softening and Color Removal (Report 1, Report 2)
  4. Membrane Filtration (2006), P-removal using membrane filtration (Membranes and Pressure Vessel) (2011)

Experiment 2: An experiment designed by you involving anaerobic digestion in serum bottles; 6-8 weeks

For the second experiment, you have the option to design your own experiment in consultation with me focusing on the anaerobic digestion process studied in 160-mL microcosms. You should start your discussions early so that if new chemicals are needed, they can be ordered and received while you are preparing the report of the previous experiment. Critical aspects of this experiment are proposing a hypothesis (this could be one or more of the following: substrate type, temperature, alkalinity, pH, inoculum source and concentration, toxicity, nutrient and trace metal availability, or any other parameter relevant to anaerobic digestion process), setting up the experiment, and testing the hypothesis to prove/disprove it. This experiment will also provide you with an opportunity to learn the use of the following elements:

1.       Syringe filters for soluble and suspended COD measurements

2.       HACH COD digestion apparatus

3.       DR3900 spectrophotometer

4.       0-1500 mg/L COD vials

5.       N2 or N2/CO2 mixture to sparge the headspace

6.       Autoclave

7.       37 oC Incubator/Shaker

8.       Headspace total gas pressure measurement using gas pressure monitor

9.       Gas Chromatography (GC for measuring methane, He/H2 Cylinders)

APPROACH

In general, the approach for each experiment will involve Steps A through F:

    A.     Formulate a hypothesis based on literature review conducted by you for a given process/experiment,

    B.      Specify the parameters to be measured/data to be collected to test the hypothesis,

    C.      Extract the needed experimental data from literature or collect it experimentally in the lab,

    D.     Analyze the collected data to test the formulated hypothesis with due attention given to statistics,

    E.      Present the overall results documenting the hypothesis, parameters measured, and the outcome, and

    F.      Prepare and submit a final technical report

ATTENDANCE

Your attendance and work on the experiments is expected during lab hours.

·         Your attendance and work on the experiments is required during lab hours.

·         At the start of class time, I will be available for ~1 hr to help you i) plan the experiment, ii) review data, iii) go over the progress, and iv) answer any questions you may have. The remaining time should be used for conducting the experiments.

·         If you plan to spend additional time outside the class when Joseph is not present in the lab, please arrange for at least one additional team/lab member to be present.

 

TEXTBOOK

There is no textbook for this course. Peer reviewed journal articles and other suitable material will be identified or provided as needed throughout the course. Conducting professional quality literature search is an expected component of this course. If you are unfamiliar with the tools available to conduct literature search, please consult me.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

All lab experiments will be conducted in accordance with the rules implemented by the Environmental Health and Safety at MSU. Training modules are available at https://ehs.msu.edu/

On the first day of classes, Joseph Nguyen will show you the laboratory, provide the basic laboratory safety training, and get you a key to the laboratory (which must be returned at the end of this course). If you have already completed these as part of your graduate research lab work, the safety training may be waived but site-specific training will still be necessary.  For your own safety and the safety of others, please also make sure that you do not work alone in the lab during evenings. Joseph will also help you get supplies and equipment that are available for use in all your experiments and help you with any issues related to finding lab equipment, components, and setting up the experiments.

Calendar

Holiday: Monday, 1/19

Spring Break: Monday 2/28 to Friday 3/08

Classes End: Friday, 4/26

Final Exams: Monday, 4/27 - Friday, 5/1

Commencements: Friday, 5/1 - Sunday, 5/3


INSTRUCTOR

Syed A. Hashsham, Professor
Office: 1449 Engineerign Research Ct Room A126
Email: hashsham@egr.msu.edu
Webpage
Phone: (517) 355 8241

 

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNICIAN/LAB MANAGER

Joseph Nguyen, Office: 3578A Engineering Building
Email: nguyenj@egr.msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-0688