Optimization of wastewater stabilization ponds in Honduras

During the academic year of 2008-2009, three Master of Engineering students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted a study of wastewater treatment systems in Honduras. Building upon previous research, this study assessed the state of centralized wastewater treatment facilities. The project included travel to Honduras in January 2009 for a field survey of these facilities. In addition, the students undertook more focused individual work on various facets of sustainable wastewater treatment. Robert McLean examined options for enhancing performance of an existing Imhoff tank. Mahua Bhattacharya investigated sludge handling practices and alternatives including a study of sludge resource value and potential reuse. Lisa Kullen studied flow behavior in waste stabilization ponds focusing on benefits to effluent quality attainable through operational modifications. This thesis presents a summary of this investigation including a Honduran national and water sector background, and trends based upon site visits and observations. With the context of the sanitation sector thus defined, a detailed investigation of wastewater stabilization ponds follows. This study explores hydrodynamic changes and water quality improvements attainable through various modifications in maintenance and operation of these facilities. Extensive use of flow modeling is employed to demonstrate the quantifiable impact of the modifications discussed.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Kullen, Lisa

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• E. Eric Adams.

• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/51571

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/51571