Process Science for the Water Sector: Comprehensive 5-Day Training Program

Course Overview

The Process Science for the Water Sector training course is an advanced 5-day professional program that bridges engineering principles with practical water treatment applications. This specialized course delivers in-depth understanding of chemical, physical, and biological processes governing water and wastewater treatment systems. Designed for technical professionals, this training emphasizes scientific fundamentals, process modeling, kinetics, and optimization strategies essential for modern water facility operations and design.

Target Audience for Process Science Training

• Process engineers and design consultants

• Water treatment plant managers and supervisors

• Research and development professionals

• Environmental engineers specializing in water systems

• Technical operations staff seeking advanced knowledge

• Wastewater treatment specialists

• Water quality scientists and analysts

• Engineering students and recent graduates in water-related fields

Day 1: Fundamental Chemistry & Physics in Water Treatment

Morning Session: Water Chemistry Fundamentals

Scientific Foundation:
Understanding the chemical principles that govern all water treatment processes is essential for process optimization and troubleshooting.

Core Topics:

• Chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle in water systems

• Acid-base chemistry and buffer capacity calculations

• Carbonate system and alkalinity relationships

• Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and redox reactions

• Solubility products and precipitation chemistry

• Complexation and chelation in natural waters

• Henry’s Law and gas-liquid equilibrium

Afternoon Session: Physical Processes in Water Treatment

Engineering Principles:

• Fluid mechanics and hydraulic retention time (HRT)

• Mass transfer principles and interfacial phenomena

• Diffusion, dispersion, and mixing characteristics

• Settling velocity and Stokes’ Law applications

• Filtration theory and head loss calculations

• Adsorption isotherms (Freundlich, Langmuir)

• Surface chemistry and zeta potential

Workshop: Performing equilibrium calculations and constructing pH-alkalinity diagrams for water treatment applications

Day 2: Coagulation, Flocculation & Particle Removal Science

Morning Session: Colloid Chemistry & Destabilization

Particle Behavior Science:

• Colloidal stability and DLVO theory

• Electric double layer and surface charge phenomena

• Coagulation mechanisms: charge neutralization, sweep floc, adsorption-bridging

• Stoichiometry of metal salt coagulants (alum, ferric chloride)

• Polymer chemistry and polyelectrolyte selection

• Rapid mixing intensity and G-value optimization

• Coagulant dose determination and jar testing protocols

Afternoon Session: Flocculation Kinetics & Sedimentation

Process Design Science:

• Flocculation kinetics and collision efficiency

• Floc strength and breakage mechanisms

• Camp-Stein equation and velocity gradients

• Discrete, flocculant, hindered, and compression settling

• Settling column analysis and zone settling velocity

• Clarifier design based on overflow rate and solids loading

• Lamella and inclined plate settler hydraulics

Laboratory Exercise: Advanced jar testing with microscopic floc observation and settling rate analysis

Day 3: Biological Process Science & Microbiology

Morning Session: Microbial Metabolism & Growth Kinetics

Biological Fundamentals:

• Microbial cell structure and metabolic pathways

• Aerobic vs. anaerobic metabolism and energy yields

• Monod kinetics and substrate utilization rates

• Specific growth rate (µ) and yield coefficient (Y)

• Endogenous decay and maintenance energy

• Stoichiometry of biological reactions (COD, BOD, oxygen demand)

• Environmental factors: pH, temperature, toxicity effects

Afternoon Session: Activated Sludge Process Science

Mathematical Modeling:

• Complete-mix activated sludge reactor design equations

• Solids retention time (SRT) and food-to-microorganism ratio (F/M)

• Oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE)

• Sludge production calculations and waste sludge management

• Nitrification kinetics and autotrophic bacteria growth

• Denitrification stoichiometry and carbon requirements

• Phosphorus removal mechanisms (biological and chemical)

Computer Modeling Session: Using process simulation software for activated sludge system design and troubleshooting

Day 4: Advanced Oxidation & Disinfection Science

Morning Session: Chemical Oxidation Processes

Oxidant Chemistry:

• Standard electrode potentials and oxidant strength

• Chlorine chemistry: HOCl/OCl⁻ equilibrium and CT concept

• Chloramine formation and breakpoint chlorination reactions

• Ozone decomposition pathways and radical mechanisms

• Hydrogen peroxide chemistry and catalytic reactions

• Permanganate and chlorine dioxide applications

• Disinfection byproducts (DBPs): formation mechanisms and control

Afternoon Session: Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) Science

Radical Chemistry:

• Hydroxyl radical generation and reaction kinetics

• UV photolysis and photochemical reactions

• UV/H₂O₂ process design and optimization

• O₃/H₂O₂ and O₃/UV combined processes

• Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions

• Electrical energy per order (EE/O) calculations

• Micropollutant degradation pathways and transformation products

Case Study Analysis: Designing AOP systems for specific contaminant removal with kinetic modeling

Day 5: Membrane Science & Process Integration

Morning Session: Membrane Filtration Fundamentals

Membrane Science:

• Membrane classification by pore size and separation mechanism

• Pressure-driven membrane processes (MF, UF, NF, RO)

• Solution-diffusion model and rejection mechanisms

• Concentration polarization and boundary layer effects

• Membrane fouling: reversible vs. irreversible

• Flux decline models and fouling resistance analysis

• Critical flux concept and fouling mitigation strategies

• Membrane cleaning chemistry and restoration techniques

Afternoon Session: Process Integration & Optimization

Systems Approach:

• Multi-barrier treatment train design principles

• Process synergies and antagonistic interactions

• Mass balance calculations for integrated systems

• Energy optimization across unit processes

• Water quality transformation through treatment trains

• Process resilience and reliability engineering

• Life cycle assessment (LCA) for process selection

Advanced Topics: Emerging Process Science

Innovation in Water Treatment:

• Electrochemical processes: electrodialysis, capacitive deionization

• Nanomaterials in water treatment

• Forward osmosis and pressure-retarded osmosis

• Enzymatic treatment processes

• Bioelectrochemical systems and microbial fuel cells

• Process intensification strategies

• Digital twins and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling

Final Workshop: Integrated process design challenge with mass balance, kinetics, and economic analysis

Learning Methodology & Course Deliverables

Instructional Approach:

• Theory-based lectures with mathematical derivations

• Hands-on laboratory experiments demonstrating key concepts

• Process calculation workshops using Excel and specialized software

• Real-world case studies from operating facilities

• Group problem-solving exercises

• Computer modeling and simulation sessions

Course Materials Provided:

• Comprehensive technical manual with equations and design examples

• Process calculation spreadsheet tools

• Chemical properties database and reference tables

• Scientific literature compilation on emerging processes

• Access to online process modeling platforms

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:

• Apply fundamental chemistry and physics to water treatment problems

• Perform kinetic calculations and process design computations

• Interpret laboratory data and optimize chemical dosing

• Model biological treatment systems using scientific principles

• Design advanced oxidation systems based on contaminant characteristics

• Troubleshoot process failures using scientific methodology

• Integrate multiple unit processes into efficient treatment trains

• Evaluate emerging technologies using process science principles

Assessment & Certification:
Final technical examination covering process calculations, conceptual understanding, and problem-solving. Certificate of completion with professional development hours.

Enroll in Process Science for the Water Sector and master the scientific principles that drive innovation and optimization in modern water treatment facilities. This course transforms technical professionals into process science experts capable of solving complex water quality challenges.