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ENVSE 404WSurface and Interfacial Phenomena in Environmental Systems

4 credits · Environmental Systems Engineering · Penn State

This course explores the principles underlying surface and interfacial phenomena, with emphasis on application to mineral processing and environmental systems. The various aspects covered span from gas/solid interfaces, including physical and chemical adsorption; Langmuir, BET and Freundlich isotherms; characterization of porous solids (determination of surface area, pore volume distribution, etc.), surfaces and interfaces, including surface tension and surface (free energy); origin of charge at interfaces; thermodynamics of charged systems (Nernst equation); electrical double layer (diffuse double layer); adsorption in the diffuse and Stern layers; dispersion and flocculation to membrane interfaces, and emulsions and surfactants. As a Writing Across the Curriculum course, ENVSE 404W focuses on developing technical writing skills through laboratory reports and a design project.

Before you enroll

Prerequisites

You need:

Where it fits

Where it sits in degree plans

Suggested plans most often put it in Year 4 · Fall (1 program).

Required in (1)

  • Environmental Systems Engineering, B.S.
What it opens up

Courses that list ENVSE 404W as a prerequisite (1)

  • ENVSE 480 Environmental Systems Engineering Process Design