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Sheik AG, Krishna SBN, Patnaik R, Ambati SR, Bux F, Kumari S. Digitalization of phosphorous removal process in biological wastewater treatment systems: Challenges, and way forward. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:119133. [PMID: 38735379 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Phosphorus in wastewater poses a significant environmental threat, leading to water pollution and eutrophication. However, it plays a crucial role in the water-energy-resource recovery-environment (WERE) nexus. Recovering Phosphorus from wastewater can close the phosphorus loop, supporting circular economy principles by reusing it as fertilizer or in industrial applications. Despite the recognized importance of phosphorus recovery, there is a lack of analysis of the cyber-physical framework concerning the WERE nexus. Advanced methods like automatic control, optimal process technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and life cycle assessment (LCA) have emerged to enhance wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operations focusing on improving effluent quality, energy efficiency, resource recovery, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Providing insights into implementing modeling and simulation platforms, control, and optimization systems for Phosphorus recovery in WERE (P-WERE) in WWTPs is extremely important in WWTPs. This review highlights the valuable applications of AI algorithms, such as machine learning, deep learning, and explainable AI, for predicting phosphorus (P) dynamics in WWTPs. It emphasizes the importance of using AI to analyze microbial communities and optimize WWTPs for different various objectives. Additionally, it discusses the benefits of integrating mechanistic and data-driven models into plant-wide frameworks, which can enhance GHG simulation and enable simultaneous nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) removal. The review underscores the significance of prioritizing recovery actions to redirect Phosphorus from effluent to reusable products for future considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Gaffar Sheik
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
| | - Suresh Babu Naidu Krishna
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Reeza Patnaik
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Seshagiri Rao Ambati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Visakhapatnam, 530003, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Faizal Bux
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Sheena Kumari
- Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
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2
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Srivastava RR, Singh PK. A decision support system for localized planning of reclaimed water around wastewater treatment plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:32494-32518. [PMID: 38658511 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33395-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Exploding population, industrialization, and an increase in water pollution has led to acute shrinkage in freshwater availability. Numerous countries have started exploring municipal wastewater as a new potential source of water to bring a paradigm shift from linearity to obtaining circularity in human water cycle management. This study aims to develop a decision support system for integrated water and wastewater management (DSS_IWWM), targeted towards reuse-focused selection of appropriate wastewater treatment technology, and localized planning around STPs in terms of reclaimed water demand identification, estimation, allocation, and sustainable pricing. The developed DSS_IWWM comprises of a repository of fourteen reuse purposes, reuse quality criteria, and 25 wastewater treatment technologies (WWTTs) in 360 combinations. It is sensitive to local resource scenarios and applies a socioeconomic and technology-focused methodology for addressing the interests of the community and investing agencies and viably. To validate the application of the DSS_IWWM, it is first tested with data from three cities in the state of Uttar Pradesh (India)-Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Agra-and then extended to nine more Indian cities with varying influent quality characteristics, resource inputs, existing STP technologies, and same target quality and decision criteria prioritization, to present a comparison of appropriate WWTTs and associated average prices obtained in different scenarios. It is concluded that influent quality, existing technology, and target quality criteria play significant role in selection of appropriate WWTTs. The traditional technologies such as UASB and ASP are required to be augmented and supplemented with high-performing WWTTs, such as BIOFOR-F with (C + F + RSF) and SBT + WP to obtain desired effluent quality. High-performing advanced oxidation process (AOP)-based systems such as A2O, SBR, and BIOFOR-F require WWTTs with relatively lower average costs (such as SBT and OP). The developed DSS_IWWM may prove to be very useful and beneficial for policymakers, government officials, engineers, and scientific community as it will facilitate rational decision-making for efficient investment planning in reuse focused wastewater treatment towards achieving circular economy in sustainable water resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Ranjan Srivastava
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 226010, India.
| | - Prabhat Kumar Singh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 226010, India
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Tsangas M, Papamichael I, Banti D, Samaras P, Zorpas AA. LCA of municipal wastewater treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:139952. [PMID: 37625488 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants play a significant role in minimizing environmental pollution by treating wastewater and reducing the release of contaminants into the environment. However, their operation can still have an environmental footprint. Therefore, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of wastewater treatment provides a comprehensive framework to quantify the environmental impact of plants across various categories. By conducting LCA assessments, the environmental impacts of different scenarios or treatment technologies can be compared, enabling decision-makers to identify the most environmentally friendly options. This information helps in optimizing the plant's design, operation, and resource allocation to minimize their environmental burden. The current research hypothesis was to conduct an LCA of a typical activated sludge plant in Greece, considering three different scenarios in order to provide an innovative take on wastewater treatment plant foam waste and utilize them for the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion. The assessment was carried out using OpenLCA software as well as EcoInvent v3.3. database. The study focused on the impact assessment of five categories (eutrophication potential, acidification potential, global warming potential, ozone depletion, and photochemical ozone creation). The results indicated that the baseline scenario had the highest impact on these categories, followed by Scenario I, while Scenario II had the least impact. Additionally, the cumulative energy demand assessment showed that the baseline scenario required significantly more energy compared to Scenarios I and II. However, Scenario II, which involved fine screens and utilization of biogas, exhibited the highest energy production, thereby reducing the overall energy demands for the system. Based on these findings, it is crucial for wastewater treatment facilities to actively pursue energy demand mitigation strategies by implementing energy-efficient technologies and utilizing biogas. These measures not only contribute to environmental protection but also promote a greener and more sustainable future for WWTP operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tsangas
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 89, 2231, Latsia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Iliana Papamichael
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 89, 2231, Latsia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Dimitra Banti
- International Hellenic University, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, 57400, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Petros Samaras
- International Hellenic University, Department of Food Science and Technology, Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, 57400, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Antonis A Zorpas
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 89, 2231, Latsia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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4
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Gorzelnik SA, Zhu X, Angelidaki I, Koski M, Valverde-Pérez B. Daphnia magna as biological harvesters for green microalgae grown on recirculated aquaculture system effluents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162247. [PMID: 36791858 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The sustainability of recycling aquaculture systems (RAS) is challenged by nutrient discharges, which cause water eutrophication. Efficient treatments for RAS effluents are needed to mitigate its environmental impacts. Microalgae assimilate nutrients and dissolved carbon into microbial biomass with value as feed or food ingredient. However, they are difficult to harvest efficiently. Daphnia magna is an efficient filter feeder that grazes on microalgae at high rates and serves as valuable fish feed. Combining nutrient removal by microalgae and biomass harvesting by D. magna could be a cost-effective solution for wastewater valorization. Nutrient removal from unsterilized aquaculture wastewater was evaluated using the microalgae species Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus dimorphus, and Haematococcus pluvialis. The first two algae were subsequently harvested using D. magna as a grazer, while H. pluvialis failed to grow stably. All phosphorus was removed, while only 50-70 % nitrogen was recovered, indicating phosphorus limitation. Shortening the hydraulic retention time (HRT) or phosphorus dosing resulted in increased nitrogen removal. C. vulgaris cultivation was unstable at 3 days HRT or when supplied with extra phosphorus at 5 days HRT. D. magna grew on produced algae accumulating protein at 20-30 % of dry weight, with an amino acid profile favorable for use as high value fish feed. Thus, this study demonstrates the application of a two steps multitrophic process to assimilate residual nutrients into live feeds suitable for fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley A Gorzelnik
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xinyu Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Søltofts Plads 228A, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Søltofts Plads 228A, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marja Koski
- National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Kemitorvet 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Bygningstorvet 115, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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Sen A, Bakshi BR. Techno-economic and life cycle analysis of circular phosphorus systems in agriculture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162016. [PMID: 36775165 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fertilizer runoff is a global nuisance that disrupts biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen and phosphorus. We perform techno-economic and life cycle analyses of selected approaches for enabling a circular economy of phosphorus. We consider four schemes: capturing P with ion-exchange resins followed by precipitation, interception by wetland and recovery in char after biomass pyrolysis, removal by bioreactor and recovery in char after bioreactor substrate pyrolysis, and using legacy phosphorus accumulated in a saturated wetland to grow crops by wetlaculture. For each system, we analyze the mass flow, calculate the degree of circularity, and examine the feasibility by techno-economic and life cycle analyses. We find that although ion exchange outperforms the others, the associated economic and emissions burden are too high. Approaches that rely on wetlands are most economically attractive and can have lower impact. However, without policy interventions, the linear economy of phosphorus is likely to remain economically most attractive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Sen
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Bhavik R Bakshi
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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6
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Life Cycle Assessment and Its Application in Wastewater Treatment: A Brief Overview. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11010208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper provides a brief review on wastewater treatment system and the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for assessing its environmental performance. An extensive review regarding the geographical relevance of LCA for WWTPs, and the evaluation of sustainable wastewater treatment by LCA in both developed and developing countries are also discussed. The objective of the review is to identify knowledge gap, for the improvement of the LCA application and methodology to WWTPs. A total of 35 published articles related to wastewater treatment (WWT) and LCA from international scientific journals were studied thoroughly and summarised from 2006 to 2022. This review found that there is lack of studies concerning LCA of WWTPs that consider specific local criteria especially in the developing countries. Thus, it is important to: (1) assess the influence of seasonality (i.e., dry and wet seasons) on the environmental impact of WWT, (2) investigate environmental impacts from WWTPs in developing countries focusing on the site-specific inventory data, and (3) evaluate environmental sustainability of different processes for upgrading the wastewater treatment system. The environmental impact and cost assessment aspects are crucial for the sustainable development of WWTP. Therefore, environmental impacts must be thoroughly assessed to provide recommendation for future policy and for the water industry in determining environmental trade-offs toward sustainable development.
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7
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Arashiro LT, Josa I, Ferrer I, Van Hulle SWH, Rousseau DPL, Garfí M. Life cycle assessment of microalgae systems for wastewater treatment and bioproducts recovery: Natural pigments, biofertilizer and biogas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157615. [PMID: 35901897 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with microalgae systems for wastewater treatment and bioproducts recovery. In this sense, a Life Cycle Assessment was carried out evaluating two systems treating i) urban wastewater and ii) industrial wastewater (from a food industry), with the recovery of bioproducts (i.e. natural pigments and biofertilizer) and bioenergy (i.e. biogas). Additionally, both alternatives were compared to iii) a conventional system using a standard growth medium for microalgae cultivation in order to show the potential benefits of using wastewater compared to typical cultivation approaches. The results indicated that the system treating industrial wastewater with unialgal culture had lower environmental impacts than the system treating urban wastewater with mixed cultures. Bioproducts recovery from microalgae wastewater treatment systems can reduce the environmental impacts up to 5 times compared to a conventional system using a standard growth medium. This was mainly due to the lower chemicals consumption for microalgae cultivation. Food-industry effluent showed to be the most promising scenario for bioproducts recovery from microalgae treating wastewater, because of its better quality compared to urban wastewater which also allows the cultivation of a single microalgae species. In conclusion, microalgae wastewater treatment systems are a promising solution not only for wastewater treatment but also to boost the circular bioeconomy in the water sector through microalgae-based product recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa T Arashiro
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; LIWET - Laboratory of Industrial Water and Ecotechnology, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Sint-Martens Latemlaan 2B, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Irene Josa
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; C3S - Concrete Sustainability and Smart Structures, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stijn W H Van Hulle
- LIWET - Laboratory of Industrial Water and Ecotechnology, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Sint-Martens Latemlaan 2B, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Diederik P L Rousseau
- LIWET - Laboratory of Industrial Water and Ecotechnology, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Sint-Martens Latemlaan 2B, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Marianna Garfí
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Amann A, Weber N, Krampe J, Rechberger H, Peer S, Zessner M, Zoboli O. Systematic data-driven exploration of Austrian wastewater and sludge treatment - implications for phosphorus governance, costs and environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 846:157401. [PMID: 35872185 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Within the new policy framework shaped by the EU Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plans, the field of wastewater and sludge treatment in Europe is subject to high expectations and new challenges related to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, micropollutant removal and resource recovery. With respect to phosphorus recovery, several technologies and processes have been thoroughly investigated. Nevertheless, a systemic and detailed understanding of the existing infrastructure and of the related environmental and economic implications is missing. Such basis is essential to avoid unwanted consequences in designing new strategies, given the long lifespan of any infrastructural change. This study couples a newly collected and highly detailed database for all wastewater treatment plants in Austria bigger than 2000 population equivalent with a combination of analyses, namely Substance Flow Analysis with focus on nutrient and metal distribution in different environmental and anthropogenic compartments, Energy Flow Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment and cost estimation. The case study of Austria is of special interest, given its highly autonomous administration in federal states and its contrasting traits, ranging from flat metropolitan areas like Vienna to low-populated alpine areas. The significant impact of electricity demand of wastewater treatment on the overall Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) shows the importance of optimization measures. Further, the current system of wastewater and sludge disposal have a low efficiency in recovering nutrients and in directing pollutants as heavy metals into final sinks. Sludge composting with subsequent use in landscaping does not only show an unfavorable environmental balance, but it is the only relevant route leading to additional CED and Global Warming Potential emissions and to the highest transport volume. Altogether, the outcomes of this study provide a sound basis to further develop national strategies for resource recovery aimed to optimize trade-offs between different economic and environmental objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabel Amann
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaus Weber
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Krampe
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Rechberger
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Waste and Resource Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-2, Vienna 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Peer
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Zessner
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ottavia Zoboli
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, Research Unit of Water Quality Management, Karlsplatz 13/E226-1, Vienna, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
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Economic Assessment of Energy Consumption in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Applicability of Alternative Nature-Based Technologies in Portugal. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14132042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how to address today’s global challenges is critical to improving corporate performance in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. In wastewater treatment systems, such an approach implies integrating efficient treatment technologies with aspects of the circular economy. In this business field, energy costs represent a large share of operating costs. This work discusses technological and management aspects leading to greater energy savings in Portuguese wastewater treatment companies. A mixed methodology, involving qualitative and quantitative aspects, for collecting and analysing data from wastewater treatment plants was used. The qualitative aspects consisted of a narrative analysis of the information available on reports and websites for 11 wastewater management companies in Portugal (e.g., technologies, treated wastewater volumes and operating costs) followed by a review of several international studies. The quantitative approach involved calculating the specific energy consumption (kWh/m3), energy operating costs (EUR/m3) and energy operating costs per population equivalent (EUR/inhabitants) using data from the literature and from Portuguese companies collected from the SABI database. The results suggested that the most environmentally and economically sustainable solution is algae-based technology which might allow a reduction in energy operating costs between 0.05–0.41 EUR/m3 and 15.4–180.8 EUR/inhabitants compared to activated sludge and other conventional methods. This technology, in addition to being financially advantageous, provides the ability to eliminate the carbon footprint and the valorisation of algae biomass, suggesting that this biotechnology is starting to position itself as a mandatory future solution in the wastewater treatment sector.
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Big Data Technology Oriented to Wetland Resource Ecosystem Value Evaluation. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:6815102. [PMID: 35676946 PMCID: PMC9170450 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6815102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In order to study a big data technology research for the evaluation of wetland resource ecosystem value. This paper proposes a wetland dimension oriented to the evaluation of wetland ecosystem services space attribute through big data coupling analysis framework. The framework used China's coastal wetlands as a case for empirical research and summarized the future direction of the research on the value evaluation of wetland ecosystem services in the era of big data. The result shows: Wetland Ecosystem Observation Network can obtain long-term series of dynamic data, remote sensing Earth observation can realize the integrated observation of space, space, and Earth, the combination of the two will help to build a wetland ecological big data observation system. The service value of China's coastal wetland ecosystem is 5010.32 × 108 yuan. The research results can effectively solve the problem of geographical heterogeneity and have reference value for the protection and management of the wetland ecosystem.
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Avila R, Justo Á, Carrero E, Crivillés E, Vicent T, Blánquez P. Water resource recovery coupling microalgae wastewater treatment and sludge co-digestion for bio-wastes valorisation at industrial pilot-scale. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 343:126080. [PMID: 34628008 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This case study is part of a circular bioeconomy project for a winery company aiming to integrate a microalgae-based system within the existing facilities of the winery WWTP, promoting nutrient recovery and transformation into valuable products and bioenergy. Microalgae were used for wastewater treatment, removing N-NH4+ (97%) and P-PO4-3 (93%). A pilot anaerobic reactor was used for batch anaerobic mono-digestion of secondary sludge (WAS) and for co-digestion of WAS and algal biomass. The methane yield using WAS from two different wine production seasons was 155.4 and 132.9 NL CH4 kg VS-1. Co-digestion led to the highest methane yield (225.8 NL CH4 kg VS-1). The application of the bio-wastes for fertilization was assessed through plant growth bioassays: mono- and co-digestion digestates and dry algal biomass enhanced plant biomass accumulation (growth indexes of 163%, 155% and 121% relative to those of the control - commercial amendment, respectively), demonstrating a lack of phytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Avila
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Justo
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Miguel Torres S.A., Miquel Torres i Carbó 6, 08720, Villafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elvira Carrero
- Miguel Torres S.A., Miquel Torres i Carbó 6, 08720, Villafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eudald Crivillés
- Miguel Torres S.A., Miquel Torres i Carbó 6, 08720, Villafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Vicent
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paqui Blánquez
- Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Maurya R, Zhu X, Valverde-Pérez B, Ravi Kiran B, General T, Sharma S, Kumar Sharma A, Thomsen M, Venkata Mohan S, Mohanty K, Angelidaki I. Advances in microalgal research for valorization of industrial wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 343:126128. [PMID: 34655786 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This review article focuses on recent updates on remediation of industrial wastewater (IWW) through microalgae cultivation. These include how adding additional supplements of nutrient to some specific IWWs lacking adequate nutrients improving the microalgae growth and remediation simultaneously. Various pretreatments strategy recently employed for IWWs treatment other than dealing with microalgae was discussed. Various nutrient-rich IWW could be utilized directly with additional dilution, supplement of nutrients and without any pretreatment. Recent advances in various approaches and new tools used for cultivation of microalgae on IWW such as two-step cultivation, pre-acclimatization, novel microalgal-bioelectrical systems, integrated catalytic intense pulse-light process, sequencing batch reactor, use of old stabilized algal-bacterial consortium, immobilized microalgae cells, microalgal bacterial membrane photobioreactor, low-intensity magnetic field, BIO_ALGAE simulation tool, etc. are discussed. In addition, biorefinery of microalgal biomass grown on IWW and its end-use applications are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahulkumar Maurya
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, India
| | - Xinyu Zhu
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, DTU, Denmark
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, DTU, Denmark
| | - Boda Ravi Kiran
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES) Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Thiyam General
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, U.S. Nagar, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 263 145, India
| | - Suvigya Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, U.S. Nagar, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 263 145, India
| | - Anil Kumar Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, U.S. Nagar, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 263 145, India
| | - Marianne Thomsen
- Aarhus University Centre for Circular Bioeconomy, Aarhus University, Postbox 358 Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences (BEES) Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Kaustubha Mohanty
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, India; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, India.
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, DTU, Denmark
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13
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Faragò M, Damgaard A, Madsen JA, Andersen JK, Thornberg D, Andersen MH, Rygaard M. From wastewater treatment to water resource recovery: Environmental and economic impacts of full-scale implementation. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 204:117554. [PMID: 34500179 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote resource recovery, many wastewater treatment operators are retrofitting existing plants to implement new technologies for energy, nutrient and carbon recovery. In literature, there is a lack of studies that can unfold the potential environmental and economic impacts of the transition that wastewater utilities are undertaking to transform their treatment plants to water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). When existing, literature studies are mostly based on simulations rather than real plant data and pilot-scale results. This study combines life cycle assessment and economic evaluations to quantify the environmental and economic impacts of retrofitting an existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), which already implements energy recovery, into a full-scale WRRF with a series of novel technologies, the majority of which are already implemented full-scale or tested through pilot-scales. We evaluate five technology alternatives against the current performance of the WWTP: real-time N2O control, biological biogas upgrading coupled with power-to-hydrogen, phosphorus recovery, pre-filtration carbon harvest and enhanced nitrogen removal. Our results show that real-time N2O control, biological biogas upgrading and pre-filtration lead to a decrease in climate change and fossil resource depletion impacts. The implementation of the real-time measurement and control of N2O achieved the highest reduction in direct CO2-eq emissions (-35%), with no significant impacts in other environmental categories. Biological biogas upgrading contributed to counterbalancing direct and indirect climate change impacts by substituting natural gas consumption and production. Pre-filtration increased climate change reduction by 13%, while it increased impacts in other categories. Enhanced sidestream nitrogen removal increased climate change impacts by 12%, but decreased marine eutrophication impacts by 14%. The reserve base resource depletion impacts, however, were the highest in the plant configurations implementing biological biogas upgrading coupled with power-to-hydrogen. Environmental improvements generated economic costs for all alternatives except for real-time N2O control. The results expose possible environmental and economic trade-offs and hotspots of the journey that large wastewater treatment plants will undertake in transitioning into resource recovery facilities in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Faragò
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Water Technology and Processes, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, Lyngby 2800, Denmark.
| | - Anders Damgaard
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Circularity and Environmental Impact, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Rygaard
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Water Technology and Processes, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, Lyngby 2800, Denmark.
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14
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Second-Generation Phosphorus: Recovery from Wastes towards the Sustainability of Production Chains. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13115919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is essential for life and has a fundamental role in industry and the world food production system. The present work describes different technologies adopted for what is called the second-generation P recovery framework, that encompass the P obtained from residues and wastes. The second-generation P has a high potential to substitute the first-generation P comprising that originally mined from rock phosphates for agricultural production. Several physical, chemical, and biological processes are available for use in second-generation P recovery. They include both concentrating and recovery technologies: (1) chemical extraction using magnesium and calcium precipitating compounds yielding struvite, newberyite and calcium phosphates; (2) thermal treatments like combustion, hydrothermal carbonization, and pyrolysis; (3) nanofiltration and ion exchange methods; (4) electrochemical processes; and (5) biological processes such as composting, algae uptake, and phosphate accumulating microorganisms (PAOs). However, the best technology to use depends on the characteristic of the waste, the purpose of the process, the cost, and the availability of land. The exhaustion of deposits (economic problem) and the accumulation of P (environmental problem) are the main drivers to incentivize the P’s recovery from various wastes. Besides promoting the resource’s safety, the recovery of P introduces the residues as raw materials, closing the productive systems loop and reducing their environmental damage.
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15
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van Schaik MO, Sucu S, Cappon HJ, Chen WS, Martinson DB, Ouelhadj D, Rijnaarts HHM. Mathematically formulated key performance indicators for design and evaluation of treatment trains for resource recovery from urban wastewater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 282:111916. [PMID: 33465716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
While urban wastewater infrastructure is aging and no longer adequate, climate change and sustainability are urging the transition from pollution management to resource recovery. Lacking evidence-based quantitative evaluation of the potential benefits and consequences of resource recovery from wastewater hinders the negotiation amongst stakeholders and slows down the transition. This study proposes mathematical formulations for technical, environmental, economic, and social key performance indicators (KPIs) that can be used to quantify the benefits and the risks of resource recovery. The proposed formulations are derived from the literature and validated with stakeholders. Each KPI is mathematically formulated at treatment train level by considering: (1) the characteristics of individual unit processes (UPs) in the treatment train (TT), (2) the context in which the TT is installed, and (3) the resources to be recovered. The mathematical formulations of the KPIs proposed in this study enable a transparent, consistent and informative evaluation of existing treatment trains, as well as support the (computer aided) design of new ones. This could aid the transition from urban wastewater treatment to resource recovery from urban wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria O van Schaik
- HZ University of Applied Sciences, PO364 4380, AJ, Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
| | - Seda Sucu
- School of Maths and Physics, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Hans J Cappon
- HZ University of Applied Sciences, PO364 4380, AJ, Vlissingen, the Netherlands; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, PO17 6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wei-Shan Chen
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, PO17 6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Djamila Ouelhadj
- School of Maths and Physics, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Huub H M Rijnaarts
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, PO17 6700AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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16
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Rebello TA, Roque RP, Gonçalves RF, Calmon JL, Queiroz LM. Life cycle assessment of urban wastewater treatment plants: a critical analysis and guideline proposal. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 83:501-514. [PMID: 33600357 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2020.608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In its 30 years of existence, there are still many improvement possibilities in studies performing the life cycle assessment (LCA) of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Hence, this paper aims to start a guideline development for LCA of urban WWTPs based on the information available in the scientific literature on the topic. The authors used the ProKnow-C systematic review methodology for paper selection and 111 studies were analyzed. The most significant points that can be improved are caused by missing essential information (e.g. functional unity and input data). Other important methodological aspects are covered: allocation process, functional unit choice, sensitivity analysis, and important fluxes to be considered. Many opportunities within the LCA of WWTPs were identified, such as optimization of WWTP operational aspects and resource recovery. Furthermore, LCA should be combined with other methodologies such as big data, data envelopment analysis, life cycle cost assessment, and social life cycle assessment. To achieve this potential, it is clear that the scientific and technical community needs to converge on a new protocol to ensure that LCA application becomes more reliable and transparent.
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17
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Wágner DS, Cazzaniga C, Steidl M, Dechesne A, Valverde-Pérez B, Plósz BG. Optimal influent N-to-P ratio for stable microalgal cultivation in water treatment and nutrient recovery. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 262:127939. [PMID: 33182115 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Species specific nitrogen-to-phosphorus molar ratio (NPR) has been suggested for green microalgae. Algae can store nitrogen and phosphorus, suggesting that the optimum feed concentration dynamically changes as function of the nutrient storage. We assessed the effect of varying influent NPR on microalgal cultivation in terms of microbial community stability, effluent quality and biokinetics. Mixed green microalgae (Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus sp.) and a monoculture of Chlorella sp. were cultivated in continuous laboratory-scale reactors treating used water. An innovative image analysis tool, developed in this study, was used to track microbial community changes. Diatoms proliferated as influent NPR decreased, and were outcompeted once cultivation conditions were restored to the optimal NPR range. Low NPR operation resulted in decrease in phosphorus removal, biomass concentration and effluent nitrogen concentration. ASM-A kinetic model simulation results agreed well with operational data in the absence of diatoms. The failure to predict operational data in the presence of diatoms suggest differences in microbial activity that can significantly influence nutrient recovery in photobioreactors (PBR). No contamination occurred during Chlorella sp. monoculture cultivation with varying NPRs. Low NPR operation resulted in decrease in biomass concentration, effluent nitrogen concentration and nitrogen quota. The ASM-A model was calibrated for the monoculture and the simulations could predict the experimental data in continuous operation using a single parameter subset, suggesting stable biokinetics under the different NPR conditions. Results show that controlling the influent NPR is effective to maintain the algal community composition in PBR, thereby ensuring effective nutrients uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorottya S Wágner
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Clarissa Cazzaniga
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Michael Steidl
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Arnaud Dechesne
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Benedek Gy Plósz
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet, Building 115, 2800 Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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18
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Banti DC, Tsangas M, Samaras P, Zorpas A. LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:membranes10120421. [PMID: 33327549 PMCID: PMC7765054 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10120421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems are connected to several advantages compared to the conventional activated sludge (CAS) units. This work aims to the examination of the life cycle environmental impact of an MBR against a CAS unit when treating municipal wastewater with similar influent loading (BOD = 400 mg/L) and giving similar high-quality effluent (BOD < 5 mg/L). The MBR unit contained a denitrification, an aeration and a membrane tank, whereas the CAS unit included an equalization, a denitrification, a nitrification, a sedimentation, a mixing, a flocculation tank and a drum filter. Several impact categories factors were calculated by implementing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, including acidification potential, eutrophication potential, global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential and photochemical ozone creation potential of the plants throughout their life cycle. Real data from two wastewater treatment plants were used. The research focused on two parameters which constitute the main differences between the two treatment plants: The excess sludge removal life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.50 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 2.67 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without sludge removal—and the wastewater treatment plant life cycle contribution—where GWPMBR = 0.002 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 and GWPCAS = 0.14 kg CO2-eq*FU−1 without land area contribution. Finally, in all the examined cases the environmental superiority of the MBR process was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra C. Banti
- Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Michail Tsangas
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Environmental Conservation and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Latsia P.O. Box 12794, Nicosia 2252, Cyprus;
- Correspondence:
| | - Petros Samaras
- Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Antonis Zorpas
- Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Environmental Conservation and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Latsia P.O. Box 12794, Nicosia 2252, Cyprus;
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19
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A Framework for Sustainable Planning and Decision-Making on Resource Recovery from Wastewater: Showcase for São Paulo Megacity. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12123466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Currently, it is important to develop strategic frameworks to support the selection of sustainable resource recovery solutions. This study applies a new framework for planning, implementation, and assessment of resource recovery strategies for a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in São Paulo megacity. The framework comprises several steps based on case study-specific data and information from current literature. Data were collected from various sources: a survey with a wastewater treatment utility, national and regional databases, and review of local regulations and international literature. Treatment configuration, wastewater and by-products composition, potential demand (for water, energy, and phosphorus), stakeholder identification, and local legislation were thoroughly discussed regarding decision-making on resource recovery. Scenario analysis was used to explore suitable nutrient and energy recovery measures based on indicators. Biogas recovery and sewage sludge composting showed more favorable conditions due to similar experiences in the area and robust legislation. The proposed framework is a simplified tool, and its application can support managers to get information on resource recovery and how to plan such initiatives in easier ways to facilitate wiser decision-making, and better operation and management. The results on framework use and refinement can guide potential applications in other contexts and stimulate public policy formulation and further research.
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20
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Iqbal A, Ekama GA, Zan F, Liu X, Chui HK, Chen GH. Potential for co-disposal and treatment of food waste with sewage: A plant-wide steady-state model evaluation. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 184:116175. [PMID: 32717494 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The water, food and energy nexus is a vital subject to achieve sustainable development goals worldwide. Wastewater (WW) and food waste (FW) from municipal sources are the primary contributors of organic waste from cities. Along with the loss of these valuable natural resources, their treatment systems also consume a considerable amount of abiotic energy and resource input and make a perceptible contribution to global warming. Hence, the global paradigm has evolved from simple pollution mitigation to resource recovery systems. In this study, the prospects of FW co-disposal into the sewer system and treatment with municipal sewage were quantitatively investigated for Hong Kong's largest biological WW treatment plant (WWTP) by integrated plant-wide steady-state modelling (PWSSM) and lifecycle assessment (LCA) approaches. The investigation assessed the impacts on the design and operational capacity of the WWTP, effluent quality, sludge output, and its net energy and carbon footprint. The results revealed that even at a higher than normal FW to sewage ratio, the WWTP's organic load capacity and performance in terms of organics and nitrogen removal was not significantly degraded, in fact the denitrification efficiency was improved by the FW organics with low N/C ratio. The net energy balance was improved by 80-400%, the net carbon footprint was lowered by 37-63% (without biogenic emissions), while the sludge production was increased by ∼33%. The results are very sensitive and improved with greater influent FW concentration and solids capture in the primary settling unit of the WWTP. The differences in the results have to be seen in relation to uncontrolled methane emission and a faster filling rate if the FW were disposed to landfill. The study provides valuable insights and policy guidelines for the decision makers locally and a generic methodological template.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asad Iqbal
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Centre, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - George A Ekama
- Water Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Feixiang Zan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Centre, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Centre, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho-Kwong Chui
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Centre, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guang-Hao Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Technology Centre, Hong Kong Branch of Chinese National Engineering Research Centre for Control & Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
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21
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Trimmer JT, Miller DC, Byrne DM, Lohman HAC, Banadda N, Baylis K, Cook SM, Cusick RD, Jjuuko F, Margenot AJ, Zerai A, Guest JS. Re-Envisioning Sanitation As a Human-Derived Resource System. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:10446-10459. [PMID: 32867485 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Sanitation remains a global challenge, both in terms of access to toilet facilities and resource intensity (e.g., energy consumption) of waste treatment. Overcoming barriers to universal sanitation coverage and sustainable resource management requires approaches that manage bodily excreta within coupled human and natural systems. In recent years, numerous analytical methods have been developed to understand cross-disciplinary constraints, opportunities, and trade-offs around sanitation and resource recovery. However, without a shared language or conceptual framework, efforts from individual disciplines or geographic contexts may remain isolated, preventing the accumulation of generalized knowledge. Here, we develop a version of the social-ecological systems framework modified for the specific characteristics of bodily excreta. This framework offers a shared vision for sanitation as a human-derived resource system, where people are part of the resource cycle. Through sanitation technologies and management strategies, resources including water, organics, and nutrients accumulate, transform, and impact human experiences and natural environments. Within the framework, we establish a multitiered lexicon of variables, characterized by breadth and depth, to support harmonized understanding and development of models and analytical approaches. This framework's refinement and use will guide interdisciplinary study around sanitation to identify guiding principles for sanitation that advance sustainable development at the nature-society interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T Trimmer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Daniel C Miller
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Diana M Byrne
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Hannah A C Lohman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Noble Banadda
- Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Katherine Baylis
- Department of Agricultural & Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sherri M Cook
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, UCB 428, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Roland D Cusick
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Fulgensio Jjuuko
- Community Integrated Development Initiatives, P.O. Box 692, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew J Margenot
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1201 S. Dorner Dr., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Assata Zerai
- Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Jeremy S Guest
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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22
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The SPPD-WRF Framework: A Novel and Holistic Methodology for Strategical Planning and Process Design of Water Resource Factories. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12104168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper guides decision making in more sustainable urban water management practices that feed into a circular economy by presenting a novel framework for conceptually designing and strategically planning wastewater treatment processes from a resource recovery perspective. Municipal wastewater cannot any longer be perceived as waste stream because a great variety of technologies are available to recover water, energy, fertilizer, and other valuable products from it. Despite the vast technological recovery possibilities, only a few processes have yet been implemented that deserve the name water resource factory instead of wastewater treatment plant. This transition relies on process designs that are not only technically feasible but also overcome various non-technical bottlenecks. A multidimensional and multidisciplinary approach is needed to design water resource factories (WRFs) in the future that are technically feasible, cost effective, show low environmental impacts, and successfully market recovered resources. To achieve that, the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) design space needs to be opened up for a variety of expertise that complements the traditional wastewater engineering domain. Implementable WRF processes can only be designed if the current design perspective, which is dominated by the fulfilment of legal effluent qualities and process costs, is extended to include resource recovery as an assessable design objective from an early stage on. Therefore, the framework combines insights and methodologies from different fields and disciplines beyond WWTP design like, e.g., circular economy, industrial process engineering, project management, value chain development, and environmental impact assessment. It supports the transfer of the end-of-waste concept into the wastewater sector as it structures possible resource recovery activities according to clear criteria. This makes recovered resources more likely to fulfil the conditions of the end-of-waste concept and allows the change in their definition from wastes to full-fledged products.
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23
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Lam KL, Zlatanović L, van der Hoek JP. Life cycle assessment of nutrient recycling from wastewater: A critical review. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 173:115519. [PMID: 32006809 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Recovering resources from wastewater systems is increasingly being emphasised. Many technologies exist or are under development for recycling nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to agriculture. Planning and design methodologies are needed to identify and deploy the most sustainable solutions in given contexts. For the environmental sustainability dimension, life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to assess environmental impact potentials of wastewater-based nutrient recycling alternatives, especially nitrogen and phosphorus recycling. This review aims to evaluate how well the LCA methodology has been adapted and applied for assessing opportunities of wastewater-based nutrient recycling in the form of monomineral, multimineral, nutrient solution and organic solid. We reviewed 65 LCA studies that considered nutrient recycling from wastewater for agricultural land application. We synthesised some of their insights and methodological practices, and discussed the future outlook of using LCA for wastewater-based nutrient recycling. In general, more studies suggested positive environmental outcomes from wastewater-based nutrient recycling, especially when chemical inputs are minimised, and source separation of human excreta is achieved. The review shows the need to improve methodological consistency (e.g., multifunctionality, fertiliser offset accounting, contaminant accounting), ensure transparency of inventory and methods, consider uncertainty in comparative LCA context, integrate up-to-date cross-disciplinary knowledge (e.g., agriculture science, soil science) into LCA models, and consider the localised impacts of recycled nutrient products. Many opportunities exist for applying LCA at various scales to support decisions on wastewater-based nutrient recycling - for instance, performing "product perspective" LCA on recycled nutrient products, integrating "process perspective" LCA with other systems approaches for selecting and optimising individual recovery processes, assessing emerging nutrient recovery technologies and integrated resource recovery systems, and conducting systems analysis at city, national and global level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Leung Lam
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Ljiljana Zlatanović
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Peter van der Hoek
- Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN, Delft, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, Kattenburgerstraat 5, 1018 JA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Waternet, Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 7, 1096 AC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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24
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How to Conduct Prospective Life Cycle Assessment for Emerging Technologies? A Systematic Review and Methodological Guidance. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12031192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Emerging technologies are expected to contribute to environmental sustainable development. However, throughout the development of novel technologies, it is unknown whether emerging technologies can lead to reduced environmental impacts compared to a potentially displaced mature technology. Additionally, process steps suspected to be environmental hotspots can be improved by process engineers early in the development of the emerging technology. In order to determine the environmental impacts of emerging technologies at an early stage of development, prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) should be performed. However, consistency in prospective LCA methodology is lacking. Therefore, this article develops a framework for a prospective LCA in order to overcome the methodological inconsistencies regarding prospective LCAs. The methodological framework was developed using literature on prospective LCAs of emerging technologies, and therefore, a literature review on prospective LCAs was conducted. We found 44 case studies, four review papers, and 17 papers on methodological guidance. Three main challenges for conducting prospective LCAs are identified: Comparability, data, and uncertainty challenges. The issues in defining the aim, functionality, and system boundaries of the prospective LCAs, as well as problems with specifying LCIA methodologies, comprise the comparability challenge. Data availability, quality, and scaling are issues within the data challenge. Finally, uncertainty exists as an overarching challenge when applying a prospective LCA. These three challenges are especially crucial for the prospective assessment of emerging technologies. However, this review also shows that within the methodological papers and case studies, several approaches exist to tackle these challenges. These approaches were systematically summarized within a framework to give guidance on how to overcome the issues when conducting prospective LCAs of emerging technologies. Accordingly, this framework is useful for LCA practitioners who are analyzing early-stage technologies. Nevertheless, further research is needed to develop appropriate scale-up schemes and to include uncertainty analyses for a more in-depth interpretation of results.
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25
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Yenkie KM. Integrating the three E’s in wastewater treatment: efficient design, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. Curr Opin Chem Eng 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coche.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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26
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Davis A, Javernick-Will A, Cook SM. Analyzing Sanitation Sustainability Assessment Frameworks for Resource-Limited Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:13535-13545. [PMID: 31674173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Diverse and numerous sanitation sustainability assessment frameworks have been created to enhance the ability of systems to provide safe sanitation services, especially in resource-limited contexts. However, many go unused while new frameworks are developed and high sanitation system failure rates persist. To better support the sustainable development goal around global sanitation, there is a need to better understand how sanitation sustainability is defined and measured and the potential advantages and disadvantages of existing assessment frameworks. A subset of existing sanitation sustainability assessment frameworks was reviewed after applying each to evaluate multiple successful and failed community sanitation systems in India. Overall, the evaluated frameworks did not share a sanitation sustainability definition or core set of essential indicators. Many indicators lacked clear definitions and guidance on data collection and analysis. When evaluating framework effectiveness, differentiations between successful and failed cases varied greatly between frameworks. Potential improvements include indicator pilot testing to verify measurement feasibility and that they provide expected results; context-specific weightings; and project-specific framework selection. Clarifying and improving sanitation sustainability assessment frameworks could increase their effectiveness and use, leading to better decision-making and improved public and environmental health, economic viability, and sanitation use and acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allie Davis
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Amy Javernick-Will
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Sherri M Cook
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering , University of Colorado Boulder , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
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Hao X, Wang X, Liu R, Li S, van Loosdrecht MCM, Jiang H. Environmental impacts of resource recovery from wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 160:268-277. [PMID: 31154124 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) clean wastewater and minimize water pollution; but, while doing so, they also contribute to air pollution and need energy/material input with associated emissions. However, energy recovery (e.g. anaerobic digestion) and resource recovery (e.g. water reuse) allow us to offset the adverse environmental impacts of wastewater treatment. Life cycle assessments (LCA) have been used more and more to evaluate the environmental impacts of WWTPs and to suggest improvement options. There is a need to search for resource recovery applications that genuinely realize a net-zero impact on the total environment of WWTPs. In this work, a scheme with highly efficient energy and resource recovery (especially for thermal energy) is proposed and evaluated. The environmental impact of a conventional WWTP in comparison with the scheme proposed here, with energy/resource recovery included, was calculated, and discussed with reference to LCA methodology. In the process of using LCA, it was necessary to choose a regional situation to focus on. In this case, a Chinese situation was focused as a reference, but the qualitative information gained is of worldwide relevance. The results clearly revealed that conventional WWTP does not benefit the total environment as a whole while the new scheme benefited the total environment via resource/energy recovery-based processes. Among others, thermal energy recovery played a significant role towards a net-zero LCA analysis (contributing around 40%) which suggests that more attention and research should be focused on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Hao
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China.
| | - Xiangyang Wang
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Ranbin Liu
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Shuang Li
- Beijing Capital Co., Ltd, 21 Chegongzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Beijing Advanced Innovation Center of Future Urban Design, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, 1 Zhanlanguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China; Dept. of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629, HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Han Jiang
- Beijing Capital Co., Ltd, 21 Chegongzhuang Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, PR China
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Singh A, Sawant M, Kamble SJ, Herlekar M, Starkl M, Aymerich E, Kazmi A. Performance evaluation of a decentralized wastewater treatment system in India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:21172-21188. [PMID: 31119547 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05444-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
A Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) provides an economically feasible and efficient wastewater treatment solution especially in developing countries. It has an enormous potential for developing a sustainable environmental sanitation system. In this study, the treatment efficiency of eight DEWATS plants was evaluated in the state of Maharashtra, India, for their performance in terms of selected physico-chemical parameters of the wastewater. Although the efficiency of some of the plants was lower than that reported in literature, the effluent quality of all the plants was within the permissible discharge limits of the Central Pollution Control Board for all the parameters. Comprehensive assessment of Plant I was carried in terms of its technical and socio-economic aspects. Moreover, LCA tool has been utilized to evaluate the environmental impacts of the operation stage of DEWATS. The midpoint, CML 2001 (April 2015) methodology was adopted, in which 11 impact categories were considered. From the life cycle impact assessment and interpretation, the main impacts are identified as releases of COD, P-PO43-, and N-NH4+ to water bodies and disposal of sludge. Due to negligible energy consumption, the operation stage was found to be less damaging to the environment. It was concluded that DEWATS can be a good alternative for treating wastewater with negligible energy and chemical consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Singh
- Department of Industrial Safety and Environmental Management, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, India.
| | - Megha Sawant
- Supporting Consolidation, Replication and Upscaling of Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technologies in India (SARASWATI), National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, India
| | - Sheetal Jaisingh Kamble
- Environmental Engineering and Management, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, India
| | - Mihir Herlekar
- Supporting Consolidation, Replication and Upscaling of Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technologies in India (SARASWATI), National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, India
| | - Markus Starkl
- Competence Centre for Decision Aid in Environmental Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Absar Kazmi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India
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Alvarado VI, Hsu SC, Wu Z, Lam CM, Leng L, Zhuang H, Lee PH. A Standardized Stoichiometric Life-Cycle Inventory for Enhanced Specificity in Environmental Assessment of Sewage Treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:5111-5123. [PMID: 30946574 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many life-cycle assessments (LCAs) have been applied to the field of sewage treatment (ST). However, most LCAs lack systematic data collection (DC) and processing methods for inventories of conventional ST (CST), much less for recently developed technologies. In addition, the use of site-generic databases results in LCAs that lack the representativeness and understanding of the regional environmental impacts and trade-offs between different impact categories, especially nutrient enrichment and toxicity-related categories. These shortcomings make comparative evaluation and implementation more challenging. In order to assist in the decision-making process, a novel stoichiometric life-cycle inventory (S-LCI) for ST was developed. In the S-LCI, biochemical pathways derived from elemental analyses combined with process-engineering calculations enable steady-state comparison of the water, air, and soil emissions of any sewage and sludge sample treated through the ST configurations analyzed herein. The DC required for the estimation of the foreground data for a CST is summarized in a 41-item checklist. Moreover, the S-LCI was validated for CST by comparing the S-LCI with actual ST plant operations performed in Hong Kong. A novel energy-derived ST inventory is developed and compared here with the CST. The resulting inventories are ready to be integrated into the SimaPro software for life cycle impact assessment as illustrated by the case study. Using the S-LCI not only helps to standardize the DC and processing, but it also enhances the level of specificity by using sample characterization and site-specific data. The EcoInvent database, which contains a single sample characterization per Swiss and global average ST plant class could be expanded by using the S-LCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria I Alvarado
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Shu-Chien Hsu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Zhuoying Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Chor-Man Lam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Ling Leng
- The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology , Bioproduction Research Institute , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8566 , Japan
| | - Huichuan Zhuang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Kowloon , Hong Kong
| | - Po-Heng Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Imperial College London , London SW7 2AZ , United Kingdom
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30
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Light attenuation in photobioreactors and algal pigmentation under different growth conditions – Model identification and complexity assessment. ALGAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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31
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Longo S, Hospido A, Lema JM, Mauricio-Iglesias M. A systematic methodology for the robust quantification of energy efficiency at wastewater treatment plants featuring Data Envelopment Analysis. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 141:317-328. [PMID: 29804018 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.04.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This article examines the potential benefits of using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for conducting energy-efficiency assessment of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). WWTPs are characteristically heterogeneous (in size, technology, climate, function …) which limits the correct application of DEA. This paper proposes and describes the Robust Energy Efficiency DEA (REED) in its various stages, a systematic state-of-the-art methodology aimed at including exogenous variables in nonparametric frontier models and especially designed for WWTP operation. In particular, the methodology systematizes the modelling process by presenting an integrated framework for selecting the correct variables and appropriate models, possibly tackling the effect of exogenous factors. As a result, the application of REED improves the quality of the efficiency estimates and hence the significance of benchmarking. For the reader's convenience, this article is presented as a step-by-step guideline to guide the user in the determination of WWTPs energy efficiency from beginning to end. The application and benefits of the developed methodology are demonstrated by a case study related to the comparison of the energy efficiency of a set of 399 WWTPs operating in different countries and under heterogeneous environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Longo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - A Hospido
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J M Lema
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Mauricio-Iglesias
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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32
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Rasouli Z, Valverde-Pérez B, D’Este M, De Francisci D, Angelidaki I. Nutrient recovery from industrial wastewater as single cell protein by a co-culture of green microalgae and methanotrophs. Biochem Eng J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abinandan S, Subashchandrabose SR, Venkateswarlu K, Megharaj M. Nutrient removal and biomass production: advances in microalgal biotechnology for wastewater treatment. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2018; 38:1244-1260. [PMID: 29768936 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2018.1472066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Owing to certain drawbacks, such as energy-intensive operations in conventional modes of wastewater treatment (WWT), there has been an extensive search for alternative strategies in treatment technology. Biological modes for treating wastewaters are one of the finest technologies in terms of economy and efficiency. An integrated biological approach with chemical flocculation is being conventionally practiced in several-sewage and effluent treatment plants around the world. Overwhelming responsiveness to treat wastewaters especially by using microalgae is due to their simplest photosynthetic mechanism and ease of acclimation to various habitats. Microalgal technology, also known as phycoremediation, has been in use for WWT since 1950s. Various strategies for the cultivation of microalgae in WWT systems are evolving faster. However, the availability of innovative approaches for maximizing the treatment efficiency, coupled with biomass productivity, remains the major bottleneck for commercialization of microalgal technology. Investment costs and invasive parameters also delimit the use of microalgae in WWT. This review critically discusses the merits and demerits of microalgal cultivation strategies recently developed for maximum pollutant removal as well as biomass productivity. Also, the potential of algal biofilm technology in pollutant removal, and harvesting the microalgal biomass using different techniques have been highlighted. Finally, an economic assessment of the currently available methods has been made to validate microalgal cultivation in wastewater at the commercial level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudharsanam Abinandan
- a Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Research and Innovation Division, Faculty of Science , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia
| | - Suresh R Subashchandrabose
- a Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Research and Innovation Division, Faculty of Science , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.,b Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of Environment (CRC CARE) , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia
| | | | - Mallavarapu Megharaj
- a Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Research and Innovation Division, Faculty of Science , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia.,b Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of Environment (CRC CARE) , University of Newcastle , Callaghan , Australia
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Arashiro LT, Montero N, Ferrer I, Acién FG, Gómez C, Garfí M. Life cycle assessment of high rate algal ponds for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 622-623:1118-1130. [PMID: 29890581 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with high rate algal ponds (HRAP) systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery in small communities. To this aim, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out evaluating two alternatives: i) a HRAP system for wastewater treatment where microalgal biomass is valorized for energy recovery (biogas production); ii) a HRAP system for wastewater treatment where microalgal biomass is reused for nutrients recovery (biofertilizer production). Additionally, both alternatives were compared to a typical small-sized activated sludge system. An economic assessment was also performed. The results showed that HRAP system coupled with biogas production appeared to be more environmentally friendly than HRAP system coupled with biofertilizer production in the climate change, ozone layer depletion, photochemical oxidant formation, and fossil depletion impact categories. Different climatic conditions have strongly influenced the results obtained in the eutrophication and metal depletion impact categories. In fact, the HRAP system located where warm temperatures and high solar radiation are predominant (HRAP system coupled with biofertilizer production) showed lower impact in those categories. Additionally, the characteristics (e.g. nutrients and heavy metals concentration) of microalgal biomass recovered from wastewater appeared to be crucial when assessing the potential environmental impacts in the terrestrial acidification, particulate matter formation and toxicity impact categories. In terms of costs, HRAP systems seemed to be more economically feasible when combined with biofertilizer production instead of biogas. On the whole, implementing HRAPs instead of activated sludge systems might increase sustainability and cost-effectiveness of wastewater treatment in small communities, especially if implemented in warm climate regions and coupled with biofertilizer production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Terumi Arashiro
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Industrial Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Neus Montero
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivet Ferrer
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Cintia Gómez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Marianna Garfí
- GEMMA - Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Building D1, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Xu F, Khalaf A, Sheets J, Ge X, Keener H, Li Y. Phosphorus Removal and Recovery From Anaerobic Digestion Residues. ADVANCES IN BIOENERGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aibe.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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36
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Technical, hygiene, economic, and life cycle assessment of full-scale moving bed biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment in India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 25:2552-2569. [PMID: 29127641 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0605-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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37
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Wágner DS, Radovici M, Smets BF, Angelidaki I, Valverde-Pérez B, Plósz BG. Harvesting microalgae using activated sludge can decrease polymer dosing and enhance methane production via co-digestion in a bacterial-microalgal process. ALGAL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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38
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Wágner DS, Valverde-Pérez B, Sæbø M, Bregua de la Sotilla M, Van Wagenen J, Smets BF, Plósz BG. Towards a consensus-based biokinetic model for green microalgae - The ASM-A. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 103:485-499. [PMID: 27525381 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cultivation of microalgae in open ponds and closed photobioreactors (PBRs) using wastewater resources offers an opportunity for biochemical nutrient recovery. Effective reactor system design and process control of PBRs requires process models. Several models with different complexities have been developed to predict microalgal growth. However, none of these models can effectively describe all the relevant processes when microalgal growth is coupled with nutrient removal and recovery from wastewaters. Here, we present a mathematical model developed to simulate green microalgal growth (ASM-A) using the systematic approach of the activated sludge modelling (ASM) framework. The process model - identified based on a literature review and using new experimental data - accounts for factors influencing photoautotrophic and heterotrophic microalgal growth, nutrient uptake and storage (i.e. Droop model) and decay of microalgae. Model parameters were estimated using laboratory-scale batch and sequenced batch experiments using the novel Latin Hypercube Sampling based Simplex (LHSS) method. The model was evaluated using independent data obtained in a 24-L PBR operated in sequenced batch mode. Identifiability of the model was assessed. The model can effectively describe microalgal biomass growth, ammonia and phosphate concentrations as well as the phosphorus storage using a set of average parameter values estimated with the experimental data. A statistical analysis of simulation and measured data suggests that culture history and substrate availability can introduce significant variability on parameter values for predicting the reaction rates for bulk nitrate and the intracellularly stored nitrogen state-variables, thereby requiring scenario specific model calibration. ASM-A was identified using standard cultivation medium and it can provide a platform for extensions accounting for factors influencing algal growth and nutrient storage using wastewater resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorottya S Wágner
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Mariann Sæbø
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marta Bregua de la Sotilla
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Van Wagenen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Benedek Gy Plósz
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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39
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Lin Y, Guo M, Shah N, Stuckey DC. Economic and environmental evaluation of nitrogen removal and recovery methods from wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 215:227-238. [PMID: 27005785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The driver for waste-based economic growth is long-term strategic design, and a paradigm-shift from waste treatment to resource recovery. This study aims to use an integrated modelling approach to evaluate the holistic economic and environmental profiles of three alternative nitrogen removal and recovery methods integrated into wastewater treatment systems, including conventional nitrification-denitrification, Anammox, and the anaerobic ion exchange route, to provide insights into N recovery system designs which are key elements in building a sustainable circular economy. Our results suggest that ion exchange is a promising technology showing high N removal-recovery efficiency from municipal wastewater and delivering competitive sustainability scores. In comparison with the well-developed conventional route, ion exchange and Anammox are undergoing significant research and development; as highlighted in sensitivity analyses, there is considerable room for process design and optimisation of ion exchange systems to achieve economically and environmentally optimal performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzi Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Miao Guo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Nilay Shah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David C Stuckey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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