Optimization of bedding materials and drainage layers of tiger (Vermi-composting) toilets | |
| Author | Adhikari, Renu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-15-20 |
| Subject(s) | Vermicomposting Drainage Sewage sludge Sanitation |
| 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-15-20 |
| Abstract | 1 billion people restore to open defecation which leads to high risk of contaminations of pathogens. There is high risk to fecal oral mechanism so at least traditional way of sanitation should be provided to this areas. In traditional way of sanitation there may be VIP latrines, pour flush systems, septic tanks but this may also face problems when pit is full. 200 million latrines and septic tanks must be manually emptied each year by workers this may cause health risk to the workers too. So there must be the alternatives for the problems, the solution of the problems can be vermicomposting toilets. The main concept is worm can eat feces. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of different Bedding and Drainage Materials in the contest of pollutant removal in lab and Pilot scale. The research is concentrated on finding best alternative of bedding materials and drainage materials suitable for the treatment of effluent and reduction of fecal sludge. Four different bedding Materials (combination of Woodchip and coir, combination of Brick and coir, combination Charcoal and coir and house hold compost) were made whole volume was equal to 0.01 m³ and fecal sludge was added at equal amount and 10L of tap water. In the research best alternatives of bedding materials in terms of worm density, fecal reduction was selected (combination of woodchip and coir gave best result). While in drainage materials also four different drainage materials was investigated the performance on the basis pollutant removal. Combination of Charcoal and sand, Combination of Gravel, sand and Charcoal, combination different size of gravel and Brick were used as drainage materials, the volume of the reactor was 0.0174 m³. Among all drainage materials combination of Charcoal and Sand could give best results. In pilot scale vermicomposting unit (combination of best alternative of bedding and drainage materials) could reduce 50% of fecal sludge and almost 99% of Total suspended solids and phosphorous removal is almost 71%, E-coli removal is almost 3log10. This shows that it can be suitable to dispose to environment after treatment. So proper design in the vermifiltration system helps to treat optimum fecal sludge with the potential of disposal to environment without affecting the people’s health. The overall study shows that Vermicomposting process using different bedding and drainage materials can treat fecal sludge and can be used as onsite sanitation system. |
| Year | 2015 |
| 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 (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thammarat Koottatep; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Annachchatre, Ajit P.;Shipin, Oleg V. ;Furlong, Claire; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |