BACKGROUND:
Hai Duong Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has a capacity of 4,500 m3/d using ground water, providing clean water for 45,000 people. This kind of water has high concentration of Mn, e.g.7 mg/L. The accepted value for Mn after treatment is only 0.1 mg/L (QCVN 01-1/2018/BYT issued by Ministry of Health). To reduce the Mn concentration to the acceptable level, they have used NaOH, polymer and Clorine gas. The most expenditure at present is for NaOH solution.
The company would like to engage RMIT students in a study to optimize the use of chemicals and propose different solutions (not using chemicals) to reduce the Mn level.
As it is impossible to travel overseas at this moment, students will conduct the research from Australia. However, they will be collaborating with Hai Duong WTP staff and National University of Civil Engineering (NUCE) staff and students in collecting data and organizing project activities.
POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES:
- Investigation of Mn treatment process in the plant
- Review the potential solutions for Mn treatment in Vietnam and internationally
- Proposal of most practical options for Hai Duong WTP case
- Present the results to WTP, RMIT and NUCE
- Write a paper for a specialized journal
DELIVERABLES:
| No. | Main Deliverable | Description | Estimated Timing |
| 1 | Project Plan | Students discuss RMIT and NUCE academic supervisors about ideas that would lead to detailed and implementable project plans. | February 2021 |
| 2 | Literature Review | Current situation and practices. | March – April 2021 |
| 3 | Data Collection and Analysis | In collaboration with NUCE’s staff and students, collect the data for analysis. | April – August 2021 |
| 4 | Draft reports | Drafting reports | September 2021 |
| 5 | Presentation | Presentation on research findings | October 2021 |
| 6 | Final reports | Final Research Theses* | End October 2021 |
* ideally, the theses would provide scope for one or more peer-review publications
WORK METHOD:
- Students enroll in a relevant course and will be supervised and assessed by an academic at RMIT.
- Students will work remotely to implement this project. Bac Ninh WWTP and NUCE staff will be remote co-supervisor during the project.
- Students will have remote check-ins with RMIT and partners on a bi-weekly basis.
- Data collection will be assisted by Bac Ninh WWTP and NUCE’s staff and students. This include surveys, interviews, and consultation workshop/seminar.
FUNDING:
The project is fully funded by the New Colombo Plan, which will cover all project-related costs.
Only Australian undergraduate students are eligible for this project.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Students submit EOI together with their latest CVs and academic records to Dr. Nina Nguyen at nina.nguyen@rmit.edu.au
- Shortlisted students will be invited for an interview.
- Students are selected subject to approval from partners.
