Environmental Engineering Principles: A Critical Evaluation Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of environmental engineering principles, focusing on a critical evaluation of existing literature. It explores various techniques such as incineration, discrete element methods, and hydraulic engineering, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages in waste management and environmental protection. The report analyzes the evolution of environmental engineering methods in response to changing environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development. It also discusses the application of principles like nanotechnology and biological decomposition in addressing environmental hazards. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for future research to address gaps in current literature and develop more economical and effective environmental engineering techniques. The report aims to provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of environmental engineering and its role in protecting the ecosystem from human activities.

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Environmental Engineering
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Notes

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Literature review........................................................................................................................3
Critical Evaluation.....................................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
Reference....................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
Environmental engineering is the branch of education that uses scientific and
engineering principles in order to protect the environment from various hazardous activities
of human beings. As the activities of modern human are highly affecting the ecological
balance, it is essential to have proper intervention measures in order to minimise the
degradation. Environmental engineering is the applied scientific and technological method
that helps to maintain sustainability of human life along with the ecosystem. Various
environmental issues like water management, air pollution, and Public Health issue and water
disposal intervention are done with the help of principles of environmental engineering. The
principles of environmental engineering are based upon integration of Science and
Engineering principles that aim to facilitate sustainable development and methods.
The current study will provide critical analysis of the existing literature that is related
to environmental engineering. All the journal articles related to environmental engineering
that will be chosen for this project are peer-reviewed and it will help to critically analyse the
current research work that are aimed to protect the environment with the help of principles of
environmental engineering. The gaps that exist in the existing literature will also be
highlighted upon in the current study. Hence, it will help to shed light upon the focus area of
the future research work that are needed in order to implement better sustainable
development and protect the ecosystem from all human activities.
Literature review

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According to the research work of Li et al. (2010), the main principles of
environmental engineering is based upon the traditional approach that is based upon
characterization and quantifying the nature of environmental problems encountered by the
modern society. It is also important to mention in the context that the environmental
engineering methods have evolved over the time due to the changing nature of environmental
issues. It is important to monitor the changing nature of the environment, which is an
essential component of applying environmental engineering principles in order to restore the
ecological balance.
The research work of Wang et al. (2014), have mentioned the importance of the
Incineration of waste, which is believed to be one of the effective techniques based on the
principles of environmental engineering. The major advantages that are obtained by this
process are due to the fact that it helps to reduce the volume of solid wastes. Generally the
wastes with high moisture content are usually treated with this method. Araghinejad (2013),
has added in the context that Detoxification of toxic substances is also one of the major
advantage has it can dispose of various carcinogenic and contaminated agents.
The research work of Niessen (2010), have applied the principles of discrete element
method that are used in the process of environmental engineering. This principle along with
molecular dynamics and Brownian dynamics are used in the process of waste management.
This principle is based upon the molecular weight and size of the waste particles, which is
used in the methods of separation. It is important to mention that the floor of the fine particles
that are a part of environmental waste have larger non-adhesive behaviours which is essential
in the process of separation. Li et al. (2011), have added that there is the principal of van der
waal forces, which is also one of the important component of this technique. The principal is
based upon the formation of agglomerate, which is the most essential step of this procedure.
There is also the process of fabric filtration, which is needed to control the harmful particles

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of air that forms air pollutants. As per the work of Chi et al. (2011), in this context, Principles
of Nano particle Technology can also be used in order to intersect the surface of the science
with electrodynamics. This has a potential to overcome all the challenges that exist in the
current method.
The principles of Hydraulics can also be used as an important part of environmental
engineering in order to deal with water disposal problem. Chadwick et al. (2013), have
mentioned about the significance of fluid dynamics that are used in water resources combined
with the elements of environmental engineering. With the rise of water level at various
places, flood is one of the common phenomena that are usually associated with
environmental degradation. The hydraulic principle of environmental engineering can help to
monitor the flood level and thereby able to provide advance warning system in order to
minimise the losses that occur due to environmental hazards.
It is important to mention in this contact that the principle of hydraulic engineering is
essential part of environmental intervention methods that are used to build dams and Power
Plant project. With the help of these processes it is possible to protect the environment from
all type of natural calamities and also ensure that there is minimum amount of loss.
The research paper of Wichuk and McCartney (2010), have discussed about the
importance of composite of waste, which is believed to be one of the effective technique
adopted alongside the principles of environmental engineering in order to manage the wastes.
This technique has been evolving since the last 15 years and the implication of sophisticated
Technology has helped to improve the level of Public Health due to better waste management
principles. More number of Companies has used this technique in order to manage the
harmful wastes. It is also essential to develop the composite operation in order to get better
outcome of waste management technique associated with environmental engineering.

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Critical Evaluation
As the advantages of incineration are mentioned within the literature review section,
it is also important to mention as per Mitsch, (2012), that one of the major disadvantage of
this method is due to the high expense that are involved in the process of waste handling and
maintenance of the equipment. This is due to the fact that most of the instruments and
equipment that are used in this process have relatively low lifespan. There is also issue due to
the operating problems and the high level of skilled engineers, who are required in this
process. The problem of admission that consists of harmful gases like carbon monoxide and
Sulphur dioxide is also one of the major issues that are associated with the use of incineration
technique. Hence, it is essential for the environmental engineers to properly evaluate this
technique in order to ensure that the further research focuses upon to increase the efficiency
level. It is also essential to ensure that the efficiency level of the equipment is enhanced with
the help of the latest engineering techniques.
In spite of the fact that the discrete element method is one of the effective techniques
based on environmental engineering, it is essential for most of the part to make sure that
proper models are being applied in the overall process. The research work of Salleh et al.
(2011), have concluded the challenge that lies in the overall process. It is important to
mention that most of the challenges related are due to the fact that most of the important
works in this technique have evolved on the basis of small scale. The major gaps that exist in
the current literature are due to the fact that it is not possible to access the use of this
techquies on the commercial scale. This is due to the fact that most of the research works do
not have the engineering infrastructure that is needed to deal with its commercial application.

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The advancement level in the hydraulic engineering that is used as a significant part
of environmental engineering is entirely based upon traditional theories. This type of
principal can also be used among petroleum industry in order to extract oil from the mines.
According to Medineckiene et al. (2010), it is essential to ensure that most of the important
matters related to the use of nanoparticles in Environmental intervention can also be
enhanced with the help of advanced level of hydraulic engineering. This has helped the oil
industry to significantly reduce the environmental hazards that are associated with extraction
process. The major advantage of this process is due to the fact that, it can be applied both
directly and indirectly as a method of advanced level of techniques that are used to adopt
most of the environmental intervention process.
The research paper of Harun et al. (2010), which is also supported by the findings of
Bosch-Rekveldt et al. (2011) have discussed about the opportunities that exist due to
implementation of waste composition Technology. In United States of America after the
implementation of this process, the government has implemented special laws in order to
ensure that all the manufacturing company, who mainly deals with hazardous substance
implement this strategy in their operation in order to ensure no harm is done to the local
environment. As the composition of harmful waste is based upon biological principles, it is
essential that the environmental engineers make proper use of this technique in order to
ensure that further development of this process is done (Epstein 2011).
From the literatures that exist related to environmental engineering it is important to
evaluate the importance of biological decomposition method, which is believed to be the best
techniques that can be used to deal with all types of environmental hazard. One of the
significance of the biological technique and principles is that it is one of the natural methods
of waste decomposition which do not have any major side effects. The cost of this process

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application is also effective due to the fact that no major machineries are required and it is
mainly based upon simple techniques without requiring heavy infrastructure.
Conclusion
In the concluding note, it can be said that the principles of environmental engineering
highly essential in the present days due to the fact that it is one of the best technique that are
based upon the scientific theories that are implemented to protect the ecosystem from all type
of human activities. The traditional theories of Engineering that are combined with biological
principle are believed to be the best techniques that can help to deal with all the major
environmental issues. It is also important to mention that most of the modern theories of
environmental engineering are dependent upon the use of heavy machinery, which is believed
to be ineffective due to the process of high expense that are involved. It is important for the
future research to focus upon the gaps that exist in the current literature. Hence, it is
important for the future research work to have better process to deal with the techniques
related to environmental engineering, which will be more economical and effective in
protecting the environment.

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Reference
Araghinejad, S., 2013. Data-driven modeling: using MATLAB® in water resources and
environmental engineering (Vol. 67). Springer Science & Business Media.
Bosch-Rekveldt, M., Jongkind, Y., Mooi, H., Bakker, H. and Verbraeck, A., 2011. Grasping
project complexity in large engineering projects: The TOE (Technical, Organizational and
Environmental) framework. International Journal of Project Management, 29(6), pp.728-
739.
Chadwick, A., Morfett, J. and Borthwick, M., 2013. Hydraulics in civil and environmental
engineering. Crc Press.
Chi, Y., Li, Y., Fei, X., Wang, S. and Yuan, H., 2011. Enhancement of thermophilic
anaerobic digestion of thickened waste activated sludge by combined microwave and alkaline
pretreatment. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 23(8), pp.1257-1265.
Epstein, E., 2011. Industrial composting: Environmental engineering and facilities
management. CRC Press.
Harun, R., Singh, M., Forde, G.M. and Danquah, M.K., 2010. Bioprocess engineering of
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Li, S., Marshall, J.S., Liu, G. and Yao, Q., 2011. Adhesive particulate flow: The discrete-
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Medineckiene, M., Turskis, Z. and Zavadskas, E.K., 2010. Sustainable construction taking
into account the building impact on the environment. Journal of Environmental Engineering
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Niessen, W.R., 2010. Combustion and incineration processes: applications in environmental
engineering. CRC Press.
Salleh, M.A.M., Mahmoud, D.K., Karim, W.A.W.A. and Idris, A., 2011. Cationic and
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Reference