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INSTRUCTORS:
Terry Neimeyer
Course Length: 1 hour
Purpose and Background
This course will only award PDHs for completion.
In 2023, ASCE published a non-mandatory performance-based standard on sustainable infrastructure using an ANSI accredited consensus process. This standard may be used to develop and implement sustainable infrastructure solutions through the entire life-cycle process. The standard requires the infrastructure solution to meet a minimum of 19 out of 27 outcomes. The outcomes are performance based and include sustainability leadership, quality of life, resource allocation, natural world, greenhouse gas emissions, resilience and life-cycle cost analysis.
Using CFD to Evaluate Mixing and Flow Distribution to Optimize Biological Nutrient Removal Performance (10 minutes)
This presentation details the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimize the mixing and flow distribution in a new biological nutrient removal (BNR) facility. The study investigates the mixing of return activated sludge (RAS) from multiple pump stations and its integration with primary effluent, aiming to enhance treatment efficiency. It highlights the application of CFD in analyzing the effectiveness of mixing baffles and alternative configurations to achieve complete mixing before effluent discharge. The findings demonstrate the critical role of CFD in refining design parameters to ensure optimal nutrient removal performance.
Unlike other ASCE standards that are more prescriptive, ASCE/COS 73-23 allows the stakeholders (owners, planners, architects, engineers, contractors, operators and the community) of the infrastructure solution to define the desired outcome based upon performance. The standard is best used at the earliest stages of the project to analyze all reasonable alternatives considering natural, no-construction and constructed project solutions. Though applicable to most infrastructure types, the standard is not intended for small projects or interior, conditioned buildings with the primary purpose of human occupation. Many of the outcomes are similar to the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure's Envision rating tool which is a helpful guide.
Learning outcomes and session benefits
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the key features and objectives of the ASCE/COS 73-23 performance-based standard on sustainable infrastructure.
- Describe the performance outcomes required by the standard, including sustainability leadership, resource allocation, and resilience.
- Discuss how stakeholders can utilize the standard to develop and implement sustainable infrastructure solutions throughout the project life cycle.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.
Who Should Attend?
- Sustainability professionals
- Environmental engineers
- Consulting engineers
- Public Agency Engineers
How to Earn your PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth 1 PDH. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course.