The feasibility and challenges of energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants. (15th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gu, Yifan; Li, Yue; Li, Xuyao; Luo, Pengzhou; Wang, Hongtao; Robinson, Zoe P.; Wang, Xin; Wu, Jiang; Li, Fengting
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 204(2017)
• Page Start: 1463
• Page End: 1475
• Publication Date: 2017-10-15
• Subjects: Wastewater treatment plants -- Energy consumption -- Energy recovery -- Energy self-sufficiency; A/A/O anaerobic-anoxic-oxic -- A/O anoxic-oxic system -- AD anaerobic digestion -- ANAMMOX anaerobic ammonium oxidation -- AnMBR anaerobic membrane bioreactor -- AWWT advanced wastewater treatment -- BOD5 5-day biochemical oxygen demand -- CANON completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite -- CAS conventional activated sludge -- CHP combined heat and power -- COD chemical oxygen demand -- DEAMOX denitrifying ammonium oxidation -- DEMON aerobic deammonification -- EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District -- eSEA extended statistical entropy analysis -- FO forward osmosis -- GHG greenhouse gas -- GIS geographic information system -- HCWTP Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant -- HRAT high rate algal system -- HRT hydraulic retention time -- IABF intermittently aerated biological filter -- LCA life cycle assessment -- MBBR moving bed biofilm reactor -- MBER membrane bio-electrochemical reactor -- MBR membrane bioreactor -- MGD million gallons per day -- MFC microbial fuel cell -- NAS new activated sludge -- OD oxidation ditch -- OLAND oxygen limited autotrophic nitrification and denitrification -- PE population equivalent -- PN/A partial nitrification/anammox -- POTWs publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities -- RO reverse osmosis -- RT 1RT = 3.517 kW -- SBR sequencing batch reactors -- SHARON single rector for high activity ammonia removal over nitrite -- SRT sludge retention time -- TAN total ammonia nitrogen -- THP thermal hydrolysis process -- WWTP wastewater treatment plant; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Various influencing factors of energy use in WWTPs are characterized. Benchmark energy consumption in WWTPs in different countries are highlighted. Energy recovery or saving technologies in WWTPs are summarized. Recent advances in optimization of energy recovery technologies are highlighted. Feasibility and challenges of energy self-sufficient WWTPs are explored. Abstract: Energy efficiency optimization is crucial for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) because of increasing energy costs and concerns about global climate change. Energy efficiency optimization can be achieved through a combination of energy recovery from the wastewater treatment process and energy saving-related technologies. Through these two approaches energy self-sufficiency of WWTPs is achievable, and research is underway to reduce operation costs and energy consumption and to achieve carbon neutrality. In this paper, we analyze energy consumption and recovery in WWTPs and characterize the factors that influence energy use in WWTPs, including treatment techniques, treatment capacities, and regional differences. Recent advances in the optimization of energy recovery technologies and theoretical analysis models for the analysis of different technological solutions are presented. Despite some challenges in implementation, such as technological barriers and high investment costs, particularly in developing countries, this paper highlights the potential for more energy self-sufficient WWTPs to be established in the future.