Organic Matter Removal

After completion of the course you should be able to understand the role of different microbial groups in the removal of organic matter, comprehend the steady-state system equations and the model, understand the meaning of carbonaceous oxygen demand (COD), daily sludge production, F/M ratio and load factor, and sludge age (SRT), and design an activated sludge plant for the removal of organic matter.

This course covers the following topics:

• Introduction to the removal of organic matter (week 1)

• Activated sludge system constraints (week 1)

• Model implications (week 1)

• Steady-state system equations (week 1)

• Design example (week 2)

• Reactor volume requirements (week 2)

• Determination of reactor solids concentration (week 2)

• Carbonaceous oxygen demand (COD) (week 2)

• Daily sludge production (week 3)

• F/M ratio and load factor (week 3)

• Capacity estimation of activated sludge system (week 3)

• System design and control (week 3)

• Selection of sludge retention time (SRT) (week 3)

• Examples and exercises (week 4)

At least two weeks before the course starts, the course materials (pre-recorded video lectures, presentations, and readers) will be made available as open-access resources free of charge for preview. During this period, prospective participants can explore the course materials and decide whether to register for the course. The registration deadline is one day before the course starts.

Registration secures a participant's official place in the course, access to the examination, and, upon successful completion, a Certificate of Completion.

Payment of the course fee in full is a compulsory part of the registration process. The course fee covers administration, management, examination, and certification costs.

Participants who choose not to register will continue to have free access to the course materials until the end of the course, but will not have access to the examination and will not receive a Certificate of Completion.

Please note that the course does not provide instructor guidance. Participants are advised to follow the prescribed weekly schedule by first reading the course textbook materials and then listening to and watching the pre-recorded audio-visual materials. Participants are also encouraged to study the examples provided.

The final week of the course is reserved for examination preparation using the exercises provided in the readers. More information about the examination is provided in the section below.

Registered participants will have access to the examination. The exam will be held on the last day of the course. Exam questions will be sent by the course administrator to participants via email at 8:00 AM (UTC-3). Participants must return their completed exam papers by email on the same day before 8:00 PM (UTC-3), providing a 12-hour window for completion.

The estimated time required to complete the exam is approximately one hour. The exam will be open-book.

Exams will be graded by the course administration staff, and the result will be recorded as either “Pass” or “Fail”. The results will be communicated to participants within one week of the exam date. Successful participants will receive an email with their personalized Certificate of Completion attached.

Unsuccessful participants will be given one opportunity for re-examination under the same conditions, one week after receiving the results of the first examination.

Note: The course fee is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of the exam or whether a registered participant takes the examination.