PhD Position – Reuse of Recycled Grey Wastewater in Green Roofs: A Sustainable Strategy to Improve Water Urban Availability

Important Information

Description of the subject

Green roofs are systems that fother vegetation growth on top of a flat or slightly–sloped roof. Green roofs are also known as vegetative or eco–roofs. They fall into three main categories: extensive, intensive, and semi–intensive. Extensive green roofs have shallow growing mediums (less than six inches) and are often not accessible. Green roofs offer numerous benefits to densely populated urban areas, such as cooling, air filtering, and improved aesthetics. However, plants in these systems are high water consumers making such systems particularly unsuitable for water-scarce arid environments most in need of passive cooling and urban greening. Integrated grey wastewater treatment in these structures provides a possible solution, providing plants with water and other required nutrients and organics. Greywater, stormwater, and blackwater are three types of sewage. In general, grey water is the wastewater generated from hand basins, bathtubs, showers, kitchen sinks, and laundry machines in households, office buildings, schools, hospitals, etc., without input from toilets. Grey wastewater also consists of wastewater disposed of in laboratories using water in blood tests and rinsing using X-ray films.

The approach adopted in the framework of this thesis is based on three complementary parts:
Part 1:
Laboratory tests of sorption of specific gray water contaminants on a substrate suitable for extensive green roofs.
Part 2:
Appropriate selection of plants and growing medium for a successful design that meets competing requirements compared to those used in existing vegetated building structures for cooling/greening for greywater treatment.
Part 3:
Model experiments to simulate extensive green roofs, where several measurements and soil water sampling will be performed.

Keywords: Green roofs; Environment; Water management; Water reuse; Green building technologies.

Profile of the candidate

• The candidate must be registered or graduated from one of the partner institutions.
• The candidate must have a Masters's Degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Environmental engineering, or a related field.
• The candidate must speak fluent English and/or French.
• The candidate must have a strong affinity for field activities.
• The candidate must have a good capacity for using digital tools (modeling, statistical analysis, etc..)

Modality of the application

1. Create a student account. Click here.
2. Download the guide for applicants, application Form#1, and application Form N#2.
3. Prepare, sign, and submit your full application online no later than October 16, 2022.

Candidates are invited to download the SWaTH Mobile App and Log In to check the updated status of their application.

Candidates who pass Stage 2 will be invited for an online presentation between 19 and 21 October 2022.

The Ph.D. thesis will start on November 01, 20222, and 3-month mobilities will take place twice a year for a period of 3 years.