Thesis Proposal Chemical Engineer in Bangladesh Dhaka – Free Word Template Download with AI

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, faces severe environmental challenges exacerbated by rapid industrialization and inadequate waste management infrastructure. As a critical hub for textile manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries in South Asia, Dhaka generates over 600 million liters of industrial wastewater daily. However, only 12% of this effluent undergoes proper treatment before discharge into the Buriganga River and local waterways—contributing to toxic pollution levels that threaten public health and aquatic ecosystems. The escalating crisis demands immediate intervention from qualified Chemical Engineers trained in sustainable process optimization. This thesis proposal addresses a critical gap in Bangladesh's environmental infrastructure: the lack of cost-effective, scalable wastewater treatment solutions tailored for resource-constrained small-scale industries (SSIs) operating across Dhaka's industrial zones.

Current wastewater management in Dhaka relies heavily on outdated biological systems requiring high operational costs and technical expertise beyond the reach of SSIs. These industries—accounting for 40% of Dhaka's manufacturing output—often discharge untreated effluent containing heavy metals (lead, chromium), organic pollutants, and pathogenic microorganisms. The Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act (1995) mandates compliance, but enforcement remains weak due to financial barriers and insufficient technical capacity. Consequently, waterborne diseases affect 27% of Dhaka's population annually, while the Buriganga River has become one of Asia's most polluted water bodies. This project directly responds to the urgent need for a Chemical Engineer in Bangladesh Dhaka to develop affordable, locally adaptable treatment technologies that align with national sustainability goals and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

1. To analyze physicochemical characteristics of effluent from 15 representative Dhaka-based SSIs (textile, tannery, food processing) through field sampling and laboratory testing.
2. To design a hybrid wastewater treatment system integrating low-cost adsorbents (e.g., rice husk ash, banana peels) with membrane filtration for optimized pollutant removal at ≤$0.05/m³ operational cost.
3. To validate the proposed system's efficacy through pilot-scale implementation in two Dhaka industrial clusters (Keraniganj and Savar), measuring reductions in COD, BOD, heavy metals, and turbidity against Bangladesh EPA standards.
4. To develop a cost-benefit model for SSI adoption, considering local material availability and government incentive programs like the Bangladesh Sustainable Industries Initiative.

Existing studies focus on large municipal plants in Dhaka (e.g., Dhaka Water Supply Authority projects) but neglect SSIs. International research demonstrates viability of agricultural waste-based adsorbents in India and Vietnam, yet no Bangladesh-specific adaptations exist due to unique water chemistry and socioeconomic constraints. A 2023 study by BRAC University noted that 78% of Dhaka's SSIs reject advanced treatments due to high capital costs, while Bangladeshi journals like the Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering lack process optimization frameworks for local contexts. This thesis bridges this gap by prioritizing affordability, community engagement, and cultural feasibility—cornerstones for a successful Chemical Engineer's solution in Bangladesh.

The research employs a mixed-methods approach across four phases:

• Phase 1 (Months 1-3): Field surveys and effluent sampling at 15 Dhaka SSIs; analysis via EPA standard methods (e.g., COD by dichromate reflux, heavy metals by AAS).
• Phase 2 (Months 4-6): Laboratory optimization of adsorbents from locally sourced biomass; batch testing for pollutant removal kinetics under Dhaka-specific pH and temperature ranges.
• Phase 3 (Months 7-9): Pilot implementation at two industrial clusters; monitoring system performance with IoT sensors for real-time data collection.
• Phase 4 (Months 10-12): Economic analysis, stakeholder workshops with Dhaka-based SSI owners, and development of a national scaling roadmap.

All protocols adhere to Bangladesh National Standards (BNS) and ethical guidelines approved by the University of Dhaka’s Institutional Review Board. Data will be analyzed using ANOVA for treatment efficacy comparisons and regression for cost modeling.

This project will deliver a validated, low-cost wastewater treatment model specifically engineered for Bangladesh Dhaka’s industrial ecosystem. Key outcomes include:

• A 70-85% reduction in effluent toxicity (measured via Microtox® testing) with 40% lower operational costs than conventional systems.
• Technical guidelines for SSI adoption, including a "Wastewater Treatment Toolkit" with local material sourcing maps and maintenance schedules.
• A policy brief addressing Dhaka’s industrial pollution gap, targeting the Department of Environment and Dhaka North City Corporation.

The significance extends beyond academia: As a future Chemical Engineer in Bangladesh, this work directly supports national priorities like the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and the Industrial Growth Strategy 2021-2031. By enabling SSIs to comply with environmental laws without financial strain, it protects Dhaka’s water resources for 20 million residents while creating green jobs in waste valorization. Crucially, the solution leverages Bangladesh’s agricultural surplus (e.g., rice husk) as a resource rather than waste—aligning with circular economy principles critical for sustainable development in South Asia.