| Author | Sundaram, Ravi Vishnempet |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-86-10 |
| Subject(s) | Water-hyacinth
|
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Batch experiments with laboratory scale reactors were carried out using tap water to confirm and quantify the oxygen transferred by water hyacinth plants. It was determined that the water hyacinth plant could be trans Ferring oxygen at rates as high as 0.78 g per kg wet weight of plant per day or 39 g per square meter of reactor surface area per day (assuming a plant densi ty of 50 kg/m2). The plant faci li tated oxygen transfer rates decreased by 30 -35 % during night time, indicating that photosynthesis could play an important role in the oxygen transfer mechanism of water hyacinth plants. Batch experiments using a synthetic waste were carried out to find out whether aerobic waste treatment occurred on the surface of the roots of water hyacinth plants and to investigate the effect of mixing on substrate removal efficiency. Substrate reduction continued even when the dissolved oxygen in the bulk of the liquid was zero and since aerobic microbes were identified on the root surface by microscopic analysis, it was inferred that aerobic waste treatment with plant facilitated oxygen transfer aiding the process does occur on the root surface of water hyacinth plants. Typically, for plants from AIT drainage ditch, with initial substrate concentration 200 mg/L, the FCOD reduction was 60 %, 68 % and 84 % at recirculation flow rates 1 , 9 and 25 L/min respectively. Prom this it was concluded that waste treatment in water hyacinth systems may he limited by substrate diffusion in the water. Better mixing causes turbulence and better distribution of substrate present in the water, providing better contact with the attached microbes on the roots. |
| Year | 1986 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Orth, H.M. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chongrak Polprasert ;Hanaki, K. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Netherlands Government |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1986 |