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College of Engineering and Applied Science

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at UC Denver
 

Laboratories

Environmental and Hydraulics Laboratory


The Environmental and Hydraulics Laboratory, located in Technology Building 102 (TE-102), is a shared-use facility supporting our research and teaching missions. Its primary features include:

  • Research laboratory for environmental engineering
  • Experimental equipment for hydraulics engineering
  • Machine shop (used by Mechanical Engineering)
  • Lecture and presentation space with seating for 36 students

The research laboratory is equipped for studies on (1) water, wastewater and environmental remediation; (2) alternative energy generation from microbial fuel cells and biofuels; and (3) stormwater-related research, including infiltration tests through engineered base materials, clogging measurements for life-cycle analysis, (4) calibration studies for street Type 14 and 16 inlet capacities, study of Types C and D inlets for highway drainage design, support of on-campus mini weather station, and field tests on stormwater detention system. Key analytical instruments include an anaerobic chamber, a gas chromatograph (GC), and a high-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC).

Our teaching equipment includes two channel flumes, 12- and 24-inches wide, which are equipped with pumps and circulation systems to produce open channel flows on adjustable slopes to study back water profiles, hydraulic jumps, drops, check dams, weir flows and orifice flows. A pipe network panel allows students to conduct tests on pipe friction and minor losses. An air tunnel apparatus produces turbulent air flows through a steel pipe approximately 20 feet long.

CU Denver students, instructors and researchers should consult the “Administrative Info” tab on this page for access instructions.

The Environmental and Hydrology Laboratory is well-equipped for conducting physical, chemical and microbial analytical work associated with biological and environmental research. Laboratory and safety supply, wireless internet, software and general support for laboratory computers are provided by the College of Engineering and Applied Science and Information Technology Services.

The lab is also used to conduct bench-scale tests on storm water related studies, including infiltration tests, clogging measurement, calibration of street inlet capacity, etc.

Major equipment and instruments include gas chromatographs, high-performance liquid chromatographs, UV spectrophotometers, potential stat work station with electrochemical analysis system, automatic data collection system and molecular microbiology instruments.

All students, instructors, and researchers using TE-102 are required to comply with our Laboratory Health and Safety Plan.

Access to TE-102 is controlled by a card reader. If you are an instructor or researcher (including graduate students), you may request access by e-mailing the following information to the TE-102 Facility Coordinator from your official UC Denver e-mail account:

  1. Your name
  2. Your ID number (student or employee)
  3. Your cell phone number
  4. A five-word description of your research
  5. Your supervisor’s name
  6. Do you also need access to TE-101?

Card key access also requires a one-time visit to have your ID card encoded. Card key encoding hours are listed on the Web site of the campus Facilities Management Division.

For students, card key access automatically expires at the end of the spring, summer and fall semesters. To continue access, you must reply to the e-mail sent by the Facility Coordinator to your official UC Denver e-mail address near the end of each semester.

Access to the side rooms is controlled by the Department of Mechanical Engineering (for TE-102-A and TE-102-B) or the Department of Civil Engineering (for TE-102-C, TE-102-D, TE-102-E, and TE-102-F). If you need a key to a side room, please contact the appropriate department to fill in a key request form.

Welcome aboard!

David C. Mays, PE, PhD
Facility Coordinator
303-352-3933
david.mays@ucdenver.edu

updated 11/27/2012