Course detail

Ecology in Engineering

FSI-XES-K Acad. year: 2019/2020 Winter semester

Impact of industrial processes on the environment, its evaluation and minimization; environmental legislation generally and with a focus on mechanical engineering; environmental impact assessment of engineering products.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Learning outcomes of the course unit

After completing the course the student is knowledgeable in valid environmental legislation and competent to evaluate potential environmental impacts of industrial processes and its minimization.

Prerequisites

Students are expected to have knowledge corresponding to the three grades of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is taught through seminars explaining the theory of the discipline. The exercises are focused on calculating the environmental burden of industrial processes using software Boustead Model. Presentations of semester projects on chosen topic are also a part of the exercise. Excursions to the ecological operation are also possible.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Classified credit conditions: participation in all exercises and excursions and presentation of semester project on a chosen topic.
The final grade is from 60% compoused of test grade and from 40% of semester project grade.

Aims

The main aim of the course is to acquaint students with environmental impact of industrial processes, including the processes of forming and machining as well as electricity generation processes. Moreover, students will be introduced to basic ecological terms and basic environmental legislation. Another aim is introduction to the theory of environmental protection and acquaintance with ways to assess and minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes. Environmental impact assessment is presented by LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Seminars, exercises and excursions are obligatory. All absence independently on their cause must be compensated. The compensation depends on arrangement with lector.

The study programmes with the given course

Type of course unit

 

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

17 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Environmental legislation in the field of mechanical engineering. Minimization of environmental impact – IPPC (BAT, BREF).
2. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Emission allowances.
3. Ecodesign.
4. Industry and Environment.
5. Ecology of machining and forming manufacturing processes.
6. Life cycle of engineering product.
7. LCA: definition of objectives and scope of the study. Inventory analysis.
8. LCA: evaluation of environmental impact.
9. Environmental impact categories.
10. LCA: use of the results. Case studies.
11. Environmental labeling.
12. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
13. Credit.