The use of short rotation coppice (SRC) Willow trees to treat effluent from multi-unit on-site wastewater treatment systems

Campbell, Paula P. (2015) The use of short rotation coppice (SRC) Willow trees to treat effluent from multi-unit on-site wastewater treatment systems. Bachelors thesis, Dundalk Institute of Technology.

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Abstract

The aim of this research is to find if Short Rotation Coppice (SRC) willow trees is a viable wastewater treatment system in Ireland. The research will also evaluate the economic value of the willow within the system as a biofuel. The problems with current wastewater treatment systems in rural areas are that these systems get no maintenance and cannot perform. Current wastewater treatment systems cannot treat wastewater to the standard required. The environment is paying a serious price for the mass consumption of fossil fuels and our climate is warming at a rate that may cause irreversible damage. To prevent any more damage, alternative methods for renewable energy need to be explored. The use of Short Rotation Coppice Willow may be the answer to the poor performing wastewater treatment systems and a safe replacement for fossil fuels. The study will review relevant literature on the subject of the use of willow trees as a wastewater treatment system and as a biofuel. This includes research of scientific papers and reports in relation to the willow trees. Understanding the process of bio-remediation and the benefit of willow as a bio-fuel and how the two relate to each other is vital to this study. Analysis of the economics of willow plantation as a bio-fuel and as a bio-remediation of wastewater is conducted to understand the feasibility of the system in comparison to conventional systems. Investigation of a case study which uses short rotation coppice willow trees as a wastewater treatment system in a rural area is undertaken. This case study is located on a site in Co. Monaghan which is a pilot scheme of a 5.5 hectare willow plantation irrigated. To conclude the system will be determined to be viable or not.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelors)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Wastewater treatment; Biofuel.
Subjects:	Engineering Engineering > Renewable Energy
Research Centres:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Sean McGreal
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2017 08:10
Last Modified:	25 Apr 2017 08:10
License:	Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0
URI:	https://eprints.dkit.ie/id/eprint/563

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