Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions under different scenarios of decentralized waste management in Southeast Asian cities | |
| Author | Xie, Ming |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-13-34 |
| Subject(s) | Greenhouse gases--Asia, Southeastern Refuse and refuse disposal--Asia, Southeastern |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-13-34 |
| Abstract | The main objective of this study was to assess greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential through improvement of decentralized waste management in accordance with the CITYBLUES++ concept in Southeast Asian cities. Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated from the studied decentralized waste treatment system before and after improvement. Flux chambers were designed for field measurements of biogas emitted from canal networks. Subsequently, for assessment of GHG emissions reduction potential under CITYBLUES++ concept in Vientiane, Laos, the Upstream-Operation-Downstream framework was used, based on the waste-to-energy conversion process and data collected (primary data and secondary data). Furthermore, a spread sheet-based calculation model was developed to estimate energy balance and GHG emissions potential. The field-measured results (by flux chamber method) of GHG emissions from different canal networks (Thailand, Laos) were ranging from 50 to 415 mg/m² which was a reasonable match with prior literature data. Before the CITYBLUES++ improvement of treatment systems in Vientiane in the study area (Hong Pasak canal network), GHG emissions from current septic tanks, uncontrolled septage dumping and canal network were found to be 5,398, 12.0, and 98,968 tonnes CO₂eq per year, respectively. After the implementation of CITYBLUES++ project (waste-to-energy conversion), the GHG emission reduction potential was estimated to become78,036 tonnes CO₂eq per year. As calculated by the developed spreadsheet model for Vientiane citywide, if CITYBLUES++ project were carried out, the GHG emission was estimated to be reduced by 39 mega tonnes CO₂eq per year in comparison to the ‘no CITYBLUES++ scenario’. Additionally, the estimated 4.2 billion m³ of methane is to be produced through digestion of aquatic plant biomass/septage which is equivalent to energy potential of 150,000 TJ. The study corroborated the water, energy and food security nexus approach as a vital component of the Eco-city concept which can be used to support the transition to urban sustainability through reduction of trade-offs and generation of additional benefits. Hence CITYBLUES++ concept may be called a subset of the Eco-city concept and is, in turn, based on the nexus approach achieving water quality improvement, energy and organic fertilizer production. The co-benefits significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a concomitant mitigation of climate change. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Lacoursiere, Jean O.;Nguyen, Thi Kim Oanh;Annachhatre, Ajit P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Chinese Scholarships Council (CSC); |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |