District heating driven membrane distillation for advanced flue gas condensate treatment in combined heat and power plants. (10th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noor, Imtisal-e−; Martin, Andrew; Dahl, Olli
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 292(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-10
• Subjects: Biofuel -- Membrane distillation -- Municipal solid waste -- Techno-economic analysis -- Sustainable development; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: This investigation involves recent work on developing membrane distillation (MD) as a novel separation technology for flue gas condensate treatment in combined heat and power (CHP) applications. Flue gas condensate samples were obtained from municipal solid waste and bio-fuel fired CHP facilities and were tested in laboratory-scale air gap MD equipment. Separation efficiencies and other water quality parameters were measured, and the outcomes show that high-quality clean condensate can be recovered, i.e., conductivity <5 mS/m; total organic carbon <2 ppm; total hardness <0.15 °dH; pH ∼7.5; and turbidity <1 FNU. Strict discharge limits for cadmium could not be achieved in all trials. This aspect is examined in further detail with respect to potential mechanisms attributed to the non-ideal separation of contaminants below the parts per billion limit. Beyond this, an industrial scale district heating driven membrane distillation system was designed and analyzed. The estimated annual thermal energy demand was 88 GWh for treating 500, 000 m 3 of flue gas condensate per year, with an expected clean condensate cost of around 2.6 $/m 3 . Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Flue gas condensate cleaning in CHP plants via membrane distillation. Temperature and pH levels of feed define the separation efficiency of contaminants. Membrane distillation is well-suited for MSW cogeneration facilities. District heating driven membrane distillation system is ideal for CHP facilities. Clean condensate cost can be significantly affected by district heating cost.