VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.

102-0227-00L 6 Credits MSC D-BAUG

You're viewing possible stale or outdated data. Please check the latest semester for more up-to-date information.

Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Max Maurer, Prof. Dr. Eberhard Morgenroth

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:00

Abstract

Systematic introduction of material balances, transport processes (kinetics, stoichiometry and conservation), ideal reactors, residence time distribution, heterogeneous systems, dynamic response of reactors, parameter identification, local sensitivity, error propagation, and Monte Carlo simulations. Introduction to real-time control (PID controllers). Extensive numerical simulations with coding.

Objective

The goal of this course is to provide the students with an understanding of how urban water system can be described with mathematical models, and give them the to plan experiments, to evaluate error propagation and to test simple process control strategies in the field of process engineering in urban water management.

Content

The course will provide a broad introduction into the fundamentals of modeling water treatment systems. The topics are: - Introduction into modeling and simulation - The material balance equations, transport processes, transformation processes (kinetics, stoichiometry, conservation) - Ideal reactors - Hydraulic residence time distribution and modeling of real reactors - Dynamic behavior of reactor systems - Systems analytical tools: Sensitivity, parameter identification, error propagation, Monte Carlo simulation - Introduction to process control (PID controller, fuzzy control)

Resources

Lecture Notes

Copies of handouts will be available digitally.

Literature

There will be a required textbook that students need to purchase: Willi Gujer (2008): Systems Analysis for Water Technology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg

Learning Materials (Links)

Main link
Further Information

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance
Digital: The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.

There will be three exams distributed throughout the semester. The second and third exam are written on the computer. The final course grade is calculated as a weighted average of these three exams, with a weighting of 25% for each of the first and second exams and 50% for the third exam. To obtain the credits a grade of 4.0 must be reached in this weighted average. If you miss an exam you will need a certified medical excuse or prior instructor approval, otherwise a grade of 1.0 will be given for that exam. In the case of a missed exam with excuse/approval, a makeup exam will be scheduled that will be fair but comprehensive and challenging. If you write the first exam you are not allowed to withdraw from the course anymore and it will count as your first attempt. If your average grade is below a 4.0 you must retake this course (or at least the three exams) the next time this course is offered.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 50

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Systems Analysis and Mathematical Modeling in Urban Water Management Exercise classes from 9:45 to 11:30 in HIL B18.1, on all of the same dates as the lecture (i.e. every Friday).	Fri 08:00-09:35 (HIL E 9) Fri 09:45-11:30 (HIL B 18.1) 25.10 Date 07:45-12:30 (HPT C 103)	4 h weekly

Offered In

Environmental Engineering Master
- Majors
  - Major Urban Water Management
    - System Analysis in Urban Water Management
  - Major Environmental Technologies
    - System Analysis in Urban Water Management
- Elective Modules (For all majors.)
  - EM: System Analysis in Urban Water Management (Elective Module for Majors "Resource Management", "River and Hydraulic Engineering" and "Water Resources Management".)