Thai Environmental Engineering Journal

Climate Change Mitigation in the Waste Sector: Policies and Measures in Different Countries and the Way Forward for Thailand

2024-04-23T17:07:41+07:00

This study performed a non-systematic review of climate change mitigation policies in the waste sector across nine selected countries (Thailand, the UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark, Indonesia, China, and Japan). The review aimed to examine the existing policies and measures, identify potential areas of improvement in Thailand's waste sector compared to the selected countries and propose levers of transformation of the policy recommendations for Thailand. Based on the review of waste management policies and measures in nine countries, twelve policies have been implemented in other countries but are not mentioned in Thailand’s reviewed documents. Some of the significant policies and measures identified as potential areas of improvement in Thailand’s waste sector related policies and measures include introducing waste taxation, implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and promoting waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling focusing on solar panel wastes. Recommendations have been provided through the designation of the levers of transformation (governance, economy and finance, individual and collective action, and science and technology). The findings provide valuable insights into strengthening the climate change mitigation efforts specific to the waste sector in Thailand by aligning with international practices. By identifying the areas of improvement and potential policy recommendations analyzed through the lenses of the levers of transformation, Thailand can optimize its waste management strategies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Risk Assessment of Sustainable Pineapple Supply Chain Management

2024-01-16T14:38:13+07:00

The main objective of this study is to assess risks in the pineapple supply chain and introduce performance indicators for flexibility in Thailand’s pineapple supply chain. A risk mitigation strategy was specifically created based on the problems faced by pineapple farmers, from the cultivation process to the distribution process. The questionnaire was meticulously designed to collect data from three sample groups: experts to assess the consequence dimension, and pineapple farmers in Prachuap Khiri Khan province to assess the likelihood dimension, divided into pineapple farmers implemented with and without GAP. The output of this research yielded eleven strategies, including three proactive strategies, three defensive strategies, two remedial strategies, and three reactive strategies. This study not only suggests risk mitigation strategies for sustainable pineapple supply chain management but also presents the outcome of risk mitigation through appropriate strategies that will make pineapple farmers more competitive and sustainable.

Ammonia Removal of Chicken Manure by Vacuum Stripping Technique for Sustainable Biogas Production in Chicken Farm

2023-12-11T11:45:50+07:00

The objective of the research was to examine how the temperature, agitation rate, and duration of pretreatment process of chicken manure (CM) affect the efficacy of ammonia removal and biogas production. The CM was pretreated through vacuum thermal stripping in various conditions and subsequently anaerobic digested using biochemical methane potential (BMP) test. The findings indicated that vacuum thermal stripping technique was successful in removing ammonia from the CM. However, the potential for ammonia removal was also influenced by the conditions used in the pretreatment process. Pretreatment at 120°C with agitation at 50 rpm for 4 hr showed the highest ammonia removal (68.69%), which was significantly greater than pretreatment at 50°C and 85°C (23-44%). However, pretreatment at high temperature could lower biogas yield of pretreated CM samples. The biogas yield of CM sample pretreated at 120°C (272-277 NmL/gVS_added) was lower than that of pretreatment at 50°C and 85°C (484-517 NmL/gVS_added). When using the vacuum thermal stripping technique for application in biogas system, it is important to ensure that the conditions are appropriate for both removing ammonia and producing biogas.

Effect of Covid-19 on Healthcare Waste and Waste-Related the Pandemic: A case study in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand

2023-12-20T14:42:25+07:00

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures have led to a significant increase in healthcare waste (HW) and household hazardous waste (HHW) globally. HW, including masks, gloves, and other infectious materials from disease treatment, and HHW, such as paint, batteries, personal cleansers, cleaning products, and hand sanitizer containers, have posed new challenges in waste management. This study, conducted in Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand, fills a critical gap in understanding the extent and nature of this waste surge. From December 2020 to June 2021, we quantitatively analyzed the HW and HHW, finding that HW related covid-19 accounted for 0.03% (43.26 kg/day) and HHW related covid-19 for 3.02% (4.37 tons/day) of the total waste stream. Our findings reveal the critical necessity for comprehensive waste management interventions, particularly the proper segregation of HW and HHW from household waste, to mitigate contamination and infection risks. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced governmental action in waste management infrastructure, including public awareness campaigns on waste separation and the implementation of specialized bins for HW and HHW in residential and community areas. Additionally, it highlights the importance of developing a robust policy framework in Thailand to address the challenges of pandemic-related waste surge. The research points to future avenues exploring the environmental and public health ramifications of COVID-19 waste, especially in understanding how various communities adapt their waste management practices during public health crises. Insights from such studies could be instrumental in refining waste management practices, making them suitable for different socio-economic contexts and improving overall public health outcomes.

Evaluation of Land Use Effects on Surface Water Quality in the Upper Yom River Basin, Phayao Province

2024-03-18T07:45:20+07:00

Although water quality in Upper Yom River Basin, Part 1, has been monitored, it has not yet covered land use patterns. Therefore, this study aims to monitor and evaluate surface water quality from land use in Upper Yom River Basin, Part 1, Pong District, Phayao Province, by classifying land use in order to collect specific water samples and analyze them. Physicochemical and biological water quality found that water quality in lower Yom watershed was mostly within the water quality standards for surface water sources, with the highest TCB and FCB detected in dense residential areas. As for the rural conservation and agricultural areas along the Khuan, Ngim, and Yom rivers, TCB and FCB were detected in low amounts, but there were high levels of NO₃-, indicating the result of farmers' use of chemical fertilizers and surface runoff into natural rivers. This affects the assessment of the overall status of Upper Yom River Basin, Part 1, at the Warning level (mean score = 2.92), showing that the water quality has begun to deteriorate from its common condition, requiring monitoring of the EC, TCB index., Turbidity, FCB and PO₄^3-periodically and selectively to keep up to date with situations that may occur in the future.

Removal of Dichloroacetonitrile in Synthetic and Tap Water by Napier grass-derived Adsorbent

2024-04-17T08:29:22+07:00

The objectives of this study are to investigate the characteristics of Napier grass-derived adsorbent and its efficiency on DCAN removal in synthetic water and tap water. Napier grass is one of the materials that contains a high amount of cellulose content. Thus, it can be utilized as an alternative and potential sustainable resource of raw material to produce biosorbent. Napier grass-derived adsorbent was produced by carbonized at 600 °C under Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for 1 hour. The characteristics of Napier grass-derived adsorbent were investigated by using the Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET) method and the surface charges by using Point of Zero Charge (PZC) method. The results showed that BET surface area was 182.53 m²/g, average pore diameter was 2.9579 nm., and PZC was approximately 7 both in synthetic water and tap water. Napier grass-derived adsorbent was proved to provide high efficiency to remove DCAN from water source. The removal efficiency was increased with increasing adsorbent. The optimal dosage of Napier grass-derived adsorbent was 2.0 g/L both in synthetic water and tap water with more than 90% removal efficiency. Adsorption kinetics were conducted, it was found that the adsorption of DCAN by using Napier grass-derived adsorbent was fitted to pseudo-second order which can be indicated that the mechanism of adsorption was chemisorption. The adsorption was reaching equilibrium after 50 minutes both in synthetic water and tap water. In addition, the adsorption isotherm was conducted and found that physical adsorption was the major adsorption mechanism of DCAN in Napier grass-derived adsorbent.

Analysis and Needs Assessment of Chemical Response and Hazardous Substances of Bangkok Fire Fighters

2024-04-23T18:04:45+07:00

This study aimed to analyze and assess of chemical response and hazardous substances of Bangkok Firefighters (Fire and Rescue Department) and use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize management issues. The study is a mixed method with 400 officers for the sample group and using the identification of informants through purposive sampling and willingness to provide information after collecting the data, the statistics used for testing were: descriptive statistics, percentage statistics, mean, and adjusted PNI index values. The sample group had a bachelor's degree (46.75%), had experience working as a fire officer in Bangkok for more than 9 years (54.50%), and had training experience in chemicals and hazardous substances in 1-3 training courses (53.25%). The results of AHP analysis found 5 management issues. For management to be used effectively, it can be grouped holistically and arranged in descending order. The stakeholders give the most importance to reviewing the plan to extract lessons and find limitations or obstacles in carrying out activities to propose policies for the next time (0.44), the measures to prevent dangers from emergencies, chemicals, and hazardous substances (0.26), the creating a plan to prevent and respond to emergencies from chemicals and hazardous substances at fire and rescue stations (0.14), the preparing emergency response teams from chemicals and hazardous substances at fire and rescue stations (0.10), and the preparing equipment for emergency response from chemicals and hazardous substances at fire and rescue stations (0.06), respectively. The application of the analysis results in managing problems that require the most attention is reviewing plans to draw lessons and find limitations or obstacles in carrying out activities to propose policies for improvement, change, and development of operating models to be consistent with most current situations. Moreover, it is a guideline for developing measures to prevent emergency chemical hazards and hazardous substances while working that will help reduce the loss of property and life.

Monitoring and Surveillance of Algal Bloom Using IoT Technology

2024-03-27T16:18:13+07:00

Algal blooms have negatively affected people in terms of economy, society, and environment. This research was focus on the using of Internet of Things (IoT) to determine chlorophyll A and sea surface temperature at the Gulf of Thailand. The IoT used in this study was related to the Aqua MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) imagery and SeaDAS (SeaWiFS Data Analysis System) program. This program showed the results of the Satellite data with chlorophyll A and sea surface temperature during Jan 7-13, 2023. The results showed that chlorophyll A concentrations were found in the study area with the range of 2.31-4.35 mg/m^-³ while the sea surface temperature were determined with the range of 28- 29^oC. However, this study was limited by using the only data from the Aqua MODIS satellite. Therefore, it will be better to study the data comparison from satellite photos with field measurements of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll A content in the appropriate locations.