1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

Potential of green 3R walls/roofs retrofitting with regard to solid waste and liquid waste reuse with co-benefits on AIT eco-campus

AuthorMahbub, Kazi Mannaf
Call NumberAIT Thesis no.EV-19-06
Subject(s)Refuse and refuse disposal--Thailand
Green roofs (Gardening)--Thailand
Recycling (Waste, etc.)
Waste minimization

NoteA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractThis study focuses on green roofs and walls development which integrates 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) concept with an efficient drip irrigation-fertigation system where liquid waste (urine) fertigated to experimental species and enhance Urban Agriculture (on recycled waste nutrients). The growth of these plants was studied over time to quantify numerous benefits offered by Green 3R Roofs and Walls by savings through waste attenuation, food production, landscape improvement and thermal protection. 4.64 g N/m2 NLR were used to fertigate 11 plant species in selected sites in AIT campus. It was found that the high growth of green 3R wall plants favored in reducing the surface wall temperature by 3.30 C and could reduce noise level by 9dB. Analysis conducted on Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) contributed to food production which is worth of around 35,000 THB on seasonal basis. The extent of landscape improvement studied by conducting a questionnaire survey showed that 92% of AIT respondents were of the opinion that the Green 3R roof and walls improved AIT landscape. Among them 80% were willing to pay for this project. Survival rate of plants increased 94% increased by mixing PET (solid waste) with soil. This study provides a conceptual design for green 3R roof with specific parameters and delivers the benefits of green 3R roof implementation, important issue for economic feasibility. For the irrigation and fertilization, it was found that approx. 77 m3 of rain water can be harvested from Arcade roof which will be useful for irrigation of green 3R roofs and walls, as well as for domestic purposes while 1,056 L of raw urine we can collect from AIT solution building alone per month. This study examined the potential of existing buildings for retrofitting green roofs and walls and their feasibility in AIT campus by using mixed method approach including both quantitative and qualitative methods where the buildings were analyzed by assessment criteria, identified from Delphi analysis, by using multi-criteria analysis. Based on the assessment of existing conditions of buildings on physical, economic and social aspects, it was found that AIT Conference Center, Arcade building, Energy building and Administration building had the highest potential for retrofitting of green roofs and walls while residential buildings had lower potential compared to others. At present 287m2 in AIT campus walls/roofs featured urine recycling and associated solid waste management practices. It was demonstrated that potential 345.2 L per month can be used (assuming NLR 4.64 g N/m2.d), while on entire campus upgraded to the biotechnology requirements for roof/walls: 9,570.4 L per month. And 3,451.5 L urine can be accommodate to fertigate 64,103m2 usable area suitable for green 3R roof in Thai pipe factory. The use of liquid waste (urine) as a fertilizer was shown to potentially reduce the campus wastewater load and contribute to saving in expensive wastewater treatment, while dealing with this waste as a valuable resource.
Year2019
TypeThesis
SchoolSchool of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD)
DepartmentDepartment of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC))
Academic Program/FoSEnvironmental Engineering (EV)
Chairperson(s)Shipin, Oleg V.;
Examination Committee(s)Xue, Wenchao;Vilas Nitivattananon;
Scholarship Donor(s)Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship;
DegreeThesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2019


Usage Metrics
View Detail0
Read PDF0
Download PDF0