scholarly journals Environmental and economic performance evaluation of municipal wastewater treatment plants in India: a life cycle approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheetal Kamble ◽  
Anju Singh ◽  
Absar Kazmi ◽  
Markus Starkl
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Life Cycle Approach ◽  
Effluent Reuse ◽  
Treated Effluent

Abstract Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Moreover, an economic evaluation was also addressed using life cycle cost (LCC) approach. Emissions associated with electricity production for operating the WWTPs, emissions from the treated effluent and hazardous heavy metals emissions have been identified as the main contributors to the overall environmental impact. Among the WWTPs considered, soil biotechnology (SBT) obtained the lowest environmental impact in all the evaluated impact categories, except for eutrophication potential. While the aerated lagoons (AL) system presented the worst results due to the high electricity and chemicals consumption. Moreover, the results obtained from the evaluation of benefit from treated effluent reuse clearly indicate that there is a drop in the toxicity potential when the rate of effluent reuse is increased. On the other hand, the present worth of SBT was estimated to be Rs. 40 million/millions of litres per day (MLD) which is the highest as compared to other technologies. Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is the second highest (Rs. 24.7 million/MLD), which is mainly contributed by civil, electro-mechanical and membrane cost. The results of LCA and LCC provide specific insights about the factors which play a major role during the life cycle of wastewater treatment technology and its associated impacts.

scholarly journals LCA of a Membrane Bioreactor Compared to Activated Sludge System for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
Dimitra C. Banti ◽  
Michail Tsangas ◽  
Petros Samaras ◽  
Antonis Zorpas
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Membrane Bioreactor ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge

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.

scholarly journals Life cycle assessment of urban wastewater treatment plants: a critical analysis and guideline proposal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Ayres Rebello ◽  
Regiane Pereira Roque ◽  
Ricardo Franci Gonçalves ◽  
João Luiz Calmon ◽  
Luciano Matos Queiroz
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Guideline Development ◽  
Social Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Allocation Process

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 (WWTP). Hence, this paper aims to start a guideline development for LCA of urban WWTP 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 on WWTP 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 (DEA), 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 into a new protocol to ensure that LCA application becomes more reliable and transparent.

Selection of an ultraviolet disinfection system for a municipal wastewater treatment plant

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Kang ◽  
T.A. Allbaugh ◽  
J.W. Reynhout ◽  
T.L. Erickson ◽  
K.P. Olmstead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Ultraviolet Disinfection ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Team Members

As part of an expansion to an average flow of 45.9 million gallons per day (174 mld), the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority wastewater treatment plant in the State of Michigan, USA, elected to install ultraviolet disinfection as a replacement for the existing chlorination process. This paper presents a unique methodology used in selecting the best system based on not only the life cycle costs, and O & M considerations but also the participation of the stakeholders. The Team members consisted of representatives of all departments at the Authority, and these Team members made the decision. The Team evaluated all criteria in the office, which was followed by verification at selected sites with similar types of equipment. The selected equipment then was pilot tested for validation of the dose-kill relationship under normal operation and also under reduced irradiation conditions. A low-pressure, high intensity system was selected, based on life-cycle cost, reliability, safety, and ease of operation. This paper describes the unique methodologies used in making that decision. The full-scale system is scheduled for start-up in Spring 2003.

Energy Usage and Management at a Large Wastewater Treatment Facility in Boulder, Colorado

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Douville ◽  
Jordan Macknick
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Energy Management ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Treatment Facility ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Facility

Wastewater treatment plants require substantial amounts of energy for pumping and treating water as well as for other plant operations. National and regional policy changes resulting in stricter water quality standards could result in an increase in energy requirements for treatment, as further treatment or more energy intensive technologies would be required. Given rises in energy costs, effective energy management plans are necessary for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Energy usage in wastewater treatment plants can be reduced through a number of different technology options without compromising water quality output. These different technology options vary in effectiveness, energy intensity, and upfront and operational costs, and the choice of technologies is often dependent upon local conditions and plant specific characteristics. Energy management can be improved also through electricity production on-site from the capture of methane gases released during treatment or from the inclusion of renewable electricity generating technologies. These technology options augment the creation of energy on-site while not necessarily reducing total energy demands. The objective of this paper is to, through use of a case study of a wastewater treatment facility in Boulder, Colorado, describe the most energy intensive processes of wastewater treatment, review various technology options for these processes, and discuss the opportunities and barriers to improving energy management at wastewater treatment plants. This paper is part of a topical session entitled “An Energy Appetite of U.S. Water Systems — what does it take to supply our water?”

scholarly journals Distribution, mass load and environmental impact of multiple-class pharmaceuticals in conventional and upgraded municipal wastewater treatment plants in East China

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangjuan Yuan ◽  
Zhimin Qiang ◽  
Weiwei Ben ◽  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Jiuhui Qu
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
East China ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Mass Load ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Multiple Class

The occurrence, fate and environmental impact of multiple-class pharmaceuticals were comparatively investigated in two wastewater treatment plants (upgraded vs. conventional) in East China.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of a Plant-Based, Regionally Marketed Shampoo and Analysis of Refill Options

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8478
Author(s):  
Hanna Kröhnert ◽  
Matthias Stucki
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Use Phase

The environmental impact of a plant-based shampoo produced and marketed in Zurich, Switzerland, was analyzed using the life cycle assessment method. Beside the identification of environmental hotspots and mitigation possibilities, the focus of the study was on the analysis and comparison of different refill offers. The results of the study show that one hair wash using the investigated shampoo is related to greenhouse gas emissions of 161 gCO2eq. For all investigated impact categories, the use phase represents the dominant life stage, except for land use, which is dominated by the production of the purely plant-based shampoo ingredients. The environmental impact related to the use phase is highly sensitive on the consumers’ showering habits, such as water consumption and water temperature, due to predominantly fossil-based heating in Zurich. On the producer’s side, a switch to renewable energy sources both for heating and electricity is identified as most effective measure to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing phase. As to the product end-of-life, the results suggest that emissions of the shampoo ingredients after wastewater treatment have a negligible impact on freshwater ecotoxicity. In this context, a need for further research is identified with respect to characterization factors and specific removal rates in wastewater treatment plants. From a life cycle perspective, packaging production and disposal have rather low contributions. Offering refill possibilities can reduce the packaging related contributions by several percentage points, however, higher mitigation potentials are found for use phase and manufacturing.

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