Cost coupled removal efficiency analyses of activated sludge technologies to achieve the cost-effective wastewater treatment system in the meat processing units. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nowrouzi, Mohsen; Abyar, Hajar; Rostami, Amir
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 283(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Wastewater treatment -- Activated sludge technology -- Cost estimation -- Biogas recovery; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.111991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted to distinguish the most cost-effective activated sludge-based wastewater treatment technology by focusing on removal efficiency (RE) for applying in the meat processing units. Four different wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), namely anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2 O), membrane bioreactor (MBR), moving bed bioreactor (MBBR), and integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) were simulated regarding the daily annual data obtained from a meat processing unit. The descending order concerning the total cost (TC) was as follows: MBR > A2 O > IFAS > MBBR while it was as MBR > IFAS > MBBR > A2 O based on RE. Regarding the energy and material consumption costs, the A2 O and MBR were the highest and lowest cost-effective systems, respectively. However, the MBR was the best from a biological treatment cost perspective. The boilers and co-generators contributed to 75% and 25% of the produced biogas, respectively, that supplied 50% of WWTP electricity demand. Among all different influent parameters, the effect of flow rate, COD, and BOD on the TC was statistically significant. Furthermore, the TC and present worth illustrated the most sensitivity to the construction cost alteration. This research provides insights into key economic parameters for a WWTP design and application. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The economic-coupled removal efficiency of bioreactors was studied. The impact of biogas recovery on the system's energy demand was discussed. The effect of fundamental influent parameters was evaluated on the total cost. The results were analyzed by sensitivity, uncertainty, and statistical tests.