Large Photo: High-tech water management. Small Photos – Left: U <strong>of</strong> C to aid Chilean waste management issue. Right: Methano Bi<strong>of</strong>ilter solves macro problem. Environmental Engineering Research Areas Air Quality Contaminant Prevention, Reduction and Recovery Environmental Design Engineering Solid Waste Management Waste-Water Management Environmental Monitoring and Global Change
Environmental Engineering University <strong>of</strong> Calgary Engineering p23 Considering the Future Impacts <strong>of</strong> Today’s Choices Back in the 50s, “Advancing <strong>Society</strong>” into the 21st century meant accumulation, consumerism, and ease <strong>of</strong> life. Today, “Advancing <strong>Society</strong>” beyond the 21st century depends on our ability to globally sustain our basic resources – soil, air and water – and to make choices for technological development responsibly. Considering the future impacts <strong>of</strong> today’s choices, as well as developing remedial solutions to the choices <strong>of</strong> yesteryear, is the task <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong> Calgary’s environmental engineers. Working in the Centre for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), our team <strong>of</strong> cross-disciplinary engineers collaborate with learners, educators and industry pr<strong>of</strong>essionals to resolve complex issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Graduate students entering the environmental engineering program are trained in this multidisciplinary style and benefit from the supervision <strong>of</strong> over 25 pr<strong>of</strong>essors from various disciplinary backgrounds. <strong>The</strong> environmental engineering group is engaged in a wide variety <strong>of</strong> basic and applied research projects in greenhouse gas emission control, remediation/toxicity <strong>of</strong> contaminated sites, contaminant/gas migration in soils, industrial emission treatment/control, optimization <strong>of</strong> full-scale fermentors, surface/ground water quality, conjunctive use <strong>of</strong> surface water reservoirs, sulphur emissions from Claus plants, acoustical emissions in combustion systems, and environmental monitoring with remote sensing. Additionally, researchers collaborate internationally on research and educational projects in many South American and Asian countries. <strong>Together</strong>, our team <strong>of</strong> researchers, learners, and industry pr<strong>of</strong>essionals creates technologies and processes that enable society to coexist in harmony with nature while continuing to maintain our modern-day quality <strong>of</strong> life in a sustainable manner. New Landfills Re-use, Recycle and Reduce in New Ways New sustainable landfill technology promises to re-use landfill space, recycle untapped energy found in waste, and reduce landfill methane gas emission to zero. For sustainable landfills, waste is a resource. Waste produces high quantities <strong>of</strong> methane gas, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential <strong>of</strong> 23 over a 100-year time horizon. In a sustainable landfill, methane gas is extracted and used to generate energy. A soil bi<strong>of</strong>ilter caps the landfill and traps the remaining methane gas. <strong>The</strong> gas is then transformed into less harmful carbon dioxide by millions <strong>of</strong> microorganisms living in the bi<strong>of</strong>ilter. <strong>The</strong> result is complete elimination <strong>of</strong> landfill methane emissions, reducing global anthropogenic methane emissions by about 15 percent! U <strong>of</strong> C researchers are currently testing and refining techniques for largescale implementation. <strong>The</strong> technology will be transferred to third-world countries with significant waste management issues. Micro-organisms Solve Macro Problem Most <strong>of</strong> the solution gas from oil production is recovered for beneficial uses. However, some <strong>of</strong> this gas, high in methane, is disposed <strong>of</strong> through flaring, or direct venting into the atmosphere. Venting contributes to Alberta’s already elevated greenhouse gas emission numbers and flaring produces toxic by-products. University <strong>of</strong> Calgary’s Methano Bi<strong>of</strong>ilter technology promises to solve part <strong>of</strong> the problem. Methano Bi<strong>of</strong>ilters use micro-organisms to convert methane gas into less harmful carbon dioxide. <strong>The</strong> gas is then emitted into the atmosphere. <strong>The</strong> technology is most effective with small quantities <strong>of</strong> solution gas. <strong>The</strong> multi-disciplinary creators <strong>of</strong> the Bi<strong>of</strong>ilter are refining the technology and working with TransCanada PipeLines and Husky Energy to demonstrate the value <strong>of</strong> this research through two field projects. High-Tech Water Management Forest fires, urbanization and floods can have sizable impacts on one <strong>of</strong> our most valued resources – water. High-tech water management tools, developed and used at the University <strong>of</strong> Calgary, are providing new options for wiser water management decisions. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have the capacity to manipulate and integrate specific spatial information such as elevation, soil type and landcover. Results from this relatively under-exploited tool are assisting researchers in predicting the impacts <strong>of</strong> forest fires and climate change on the boreal forest, as well as determining the impacts <strong>of</strong> urbanization on run<strong>of</strong>f. Civil engineers are collaborating with the City <strong>of</strong> Calgary to produce a water distribution model that will provide real-time accurate data on water quality and quantity. This kind <strong>of</strong> information will enhance operational decisions and help avoid disasters such as contamination.
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