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Sampedro T, Gómez-Coma L, Ortiz I, Ibañez R. Unlocking energy potential: Decarbonizing water reclamation plants with salinity gradient energy recovery. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167154. [PMID: 37751838 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Climate change, together with the ecological droughts suffered by a large part of the European Union's territory, calls for joint environmental solutions. In this regard, water reclamation is a promising way to alleviate the pressure on existing water resources. However, reuse strategies are penalized by the extra energy consumed in urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTPs), facilities mainly powered by fossil fuels. The opportunity to integrate renewable sources of energy into the energy-intensive UWWTPs holds great promise towards decarbonization of the sector. In this context, the energy harvested from a Salinity Gradient (SGE) has attracted great interest in the last decade. This work aims at the analysis of opportunity of implementing integrated processes for water reclamation and SGE recovery in the coastal EU UWWTPs. According to the selection criteria, a total of 281 potential sites located across eighteen coastal countries of the EU have been inventoried attending to the current state of the art. The water reclamation potential has been estimated at 3.7 million m3/day. As a consequence, the environmental burdens of the reclamation process could result in the reduction of 1.5·105 t CO2/year. The Mediterranean region, highly affected by hydrological drought, has proved to be a hot spot for water reclamation, with the highest number of plants inventoried in the study and a predicted potential for SGE harvesting of 60 Wh/m3 of reclaimed water. These results highlight a niche of opportunities to encourage water reclamation, avoid water bodies' degradability due to effluent discharge and the further decarbonization of reclamation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sampedro
- Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - L Gómez-Coma
- Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - I Ortiz
- Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - R Ibañez
- Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain.
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Veerman J, Gómez-Coma L, Ortiz A, Ortiz I. Resistance of Ion Exchange Membranes in Aqueous Mixtures of Monovalent and Divalent Ions and the Effect on Reverse Electrodialysis. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:322. [PMID: 36984709 PMCID: PMC10056131 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13030322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Salinity gradient energy has gained attention in recent years as a renewable energy source, especially employing reverse electrodialysis technology (RED), which is based on the role of ion exchange membranes. In this context, many efforts have been developed by researchers from all over the world to advance the knowledge of this green source of energy. However, the influence of divalent ions on the performance of the technology has not been deeply studied. Basically, divalent ions are responsible for an increased membrane resistance and, therefore, for a decrease in voltage. This work focuses on the estimation of the resistance of the RED membrane working with water flows containing divalent ions, both theoretically by combining the one-thread model with the Donnan exclusion theory for the gel phase, as well as the experimental evaluation with Fumatech membranes FAS-50, FKS-50, FAS-PET-75, and FKS-PET-75. Furthermore, simulated results have been compared to data recently reported with different membranes. Besides, the influence of membrane resistance on the overall performance of reverse electrodialysis technology is evaluated to understand the impact of divalent ions in energy generation. Results reflect a minor effect of sulfate on the gross power in comparison to the effect of calcium and magnesium ions. Thus, this work takes a step forward in the knowledge of reverse electrodialysis technology and the extraction of salinity gradient energy by advancing the influence of divalent ions on energy recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Veerman
- REDstack BV, Graaf Adolfstraat 35-G, 8606 BT Sneek, The Netherlands
| | - Lucía Gómez-Coma
- Departmento de Ingenierías Químicas y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Alfredo Ortiz
- Departmento de Ingenierías Químicas y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ortiz
- Departmento de Ingenierías Químicas y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Av. Los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Spain
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Apel PY, Velizarov S, Volkov AV, Eliseeva TV, Nikonenko VV, Parshina AV, Pismenskaya ND, Popov KI, Yaroslavtsev AB. Fouling and Membrane Degradation in Electromembrane and Baromembrane Processes. MEMBRANES AND MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s2517751622020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Principles of reverse electrodialysis and development of integrated-based system for power generation and water treatment: a review. REV CHEM ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/revce-2020-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is among the evolving membrane-based processes available for energy harvesting by mixing water with different salinities. The chemical potential difference causes the movement of cations and anions in opposite directions that can then be transformed into the electrical current at the electrodes by redox reactions. Although several works have shown the possibilities of achieving high power densities through the RED system, the transformation to the industrial-scale stacks remains a challenge particularly in understanding the correlation between ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and the operating conditions. This work provides an overview of the RED system including its development and modifications of IEM utilized in the RED system. The effects of modified membranes particularly on the psychochemical properties of the membranes and the effects of numerous operating variables are discussed. The prospects of combining the RED system with other technologies such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, membrane distillation, heat engine, microbial fuel cell), and flow battery have been summarized based on open-loop and closed-loop configurations. This review attempts to explain the development and prospect of RED technology for salinity gradient power production and further elucidate the integrated RED system as a promising way to harvest energy while reducing the impact of liquid waste disposal on the environment.
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Onsite source separation and synergistic treatment of household food waste into wastewater. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.118337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Ma L, Gutierrez L, Verbeke R, D'Haese A, Waqas M, Dickmann M, Helm R, Vankelecom I, Verliefde A, Cornelissen E. Transport of organic solutes in ion-exchange membranes: Mechanisms and influence of solvent ionic composition. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 190:116756. [PMID: 33387949 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Ion-exchange membrane (IEM)-based processes are used in the industry or in the drinking water production to achieve selective separation. The transport mechanisms of organic solutes/micropollutants (i.e., paracetamol, clofibric acid, and atenolol) at a single-membrane level in diffusion cells were similar to that of salts (i.e., diffusion, convection, and electromigration). The presence of an equal concentration of salts at both sides of the membrane slightly decreased the transport of organics due to lower diffusion coefficients of organics in salts and the increase of hindrance and/or decrease of partitioning in the membrane phase. In the presence of a salt gradient, diffusion was the main transport mechanism for non-charged organics, while the counter-transport of salts promoted the transport of charged organics through electromigration (electroneutrality). Conversely, the co-transport of salts hindered the transport of charged organics, where diffusion was the main transport mechanism of the latter. Although convection played a role in the transport of non-charged organics, its influence on the charged solutes was minimal due to the dominant electromigration. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy showed a bimodal size distribution of free-volume elements of IEMs, with both classes of free-volume elements contributing to salt transport, while larger organics can only transport through the larger class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingshan Ma
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - Leonardo Gutierrez
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium; Facultad del Mar y Medio Ambiente, Universidad del Pacifico, Ecuador
| | - Rhea Verbeke
- Membrane Technology Group, Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arnout D'Haese
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Marcel Dickmann
- Institut für Angewandte Physik und Messtechnik, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany
| | - Ricardo Helm
- Institut für Angewandte Physik und Messtechnik, Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany
| | - Ivo Vankelecom
- Membrane Technology Group, Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Arne Verliefde
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Emile Cornelissen
- Particle and Interfacial Technology Group, Ghent University, Belgium; KWR Water Research Institute, Netherlands.
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Sun Y, Li J, Li M, Ma Z, Wang X, Wang Q, Wang X, Xu D, Gao J, Gao X. Towards improved hydrodynamics of the electrodialysis (ED) cell via computational fluid dynamics and cost estimation model: Effects of spacer parameters. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Gurreri L, Tamburini A, Cipollina A, Micale G. Electrodialysis Applications in Wastewater Treatment for Environmental Protection and Resources Recovery: A Systematic Review on Progress and Perspectives. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E146. [PMID: 32660014 PMCID: PMC7408617 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10070146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive review of studies on electrodialysis (ED) applications in wastewater treatment, outlining the current status and the future prospect. ED is a membrane process of separation under the action of an electric field, where ions are selectively transported across ion-exchange membranes. ED of both conventional or unconventional fashion has been tested to treat several waste or spent aqueous solutions, including effluents from various industrial processes, municipal wastewater or salt water treatment plants, and animal farms. Properties such as selectivity, high separation efficiency, and chemical-free treatment make ED methods adequate for desalination and other treatments with significant environmental benefits. ED technologies can be used in operations of concentration, dilution, desalination, regeneration, and valorisation to reclaim wastewater and recover water and/or other products, e.g., heavy metal ions, salts, acids/bases, nutrients, and organics, or electrical energy. Intense research activity has been directed towards developing enhanced or novel systems, showing that zero or minimal liquid discharge approaches can be techno-economically affordable and competitive. Despite few real plants having been installed, recent developments are opening new routes for the large-scale use of ED techniques in a plethora of treatment processes for wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Tamburini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Palermo, viale delle Scienze Ed. 6, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (L.G.); (A.C.); (G.M.)
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