scholarly journals Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of GHG emissions from different configurations of on-site wastewater treatment system using discrete and continuous gas flux measurement

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Knappe ◽  
Celia Somlai ◽  
Laurence Gill
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Treatment ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Flux Chamber ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Gas Flux ◽  
Ch4 And N2o

Abstract. Global emissions linked to wastewater treatment are estimated to account for up to 1.5 % of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. However, few studies have measured GHG emissions from domestic on-site treatment systems (DWWTSs) directly. In this study, two DWWTSs were monitored for 446 days and > 42,000 gas flux measurements were conducted using both discrete spot measurements and continuous flux chamber deployments. The observed GHG fluxes from biological activity in the soil and water phase were found to be highly spatially and temporally variable and correlated to environmental factors, water usage patterns and system design. In total, the results show that a septic tank discharging effluent into a well-designed soil treatment unit is estimated to emit a net 9.99 kg-CO2eq cap−1 yr−1, with approximately 63 %, 27 % and 10 % of the total CO2-equivalent net emissions in the form of CO2, CH4 and N2O, respectively. Emissions from the septic tank surface contributed over 50 % of total emissions and tended to be strongly underestimated by one-off discrete measurements, especially when episodic ebullitive events are to be considered. Fluxes from the soil treatment unit (STU) stemmed from both the soil surface and the vent system, but were also found to be periodically negative, i.e. net uptakes. Soil fluxes were mostly influenced by temperature but peaked regularly under conditions of rapidly changing soil water content. Vent fluxes were mostly governed by effluent quality and a low number of high emission events was responsible for the majority of total observed vent emissions. Owing to the strong overall spatial and temporal heterogeneity of observed fluxes from DWWTSs across all modules, future studies should focus on continuous deployments of a number of flux chambers over discrete measurements to accurately assess GHG emissions from on-site systems. This study also provided insights into managing GHG emissions from DWWTSs by different system configuration design, as well as indicating that the current IPCC emission factors for CH4 and N2O are significantly overestimating emissions for on-site wastewater treatment systems.

scholarly journals Agricultural peatlands: towards a greenhouse gas sink – a synthesis of a Dutch landscape study

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 4559-4576 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Schrier-Uijl ◽  
P. S. Kroon ◽  
D. M. D. Hendriks ◽  
A. Hensen ◽  
J. Van Huissteden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Water ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Ground Water Level ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Ghg Emission ◽  
C Balance ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Ch4 And N2o

Abstract. It is generally known that managed, drained peatlands act as carbon (C) sources. In this study we examined how mitigation through the reduction of the intensity of land management and through rewetting may affect the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and the C balance of intensively managed, drained, agricultural peatlands. Carbon and GHG balances were determined for three peatlands in the western part of the Netherlands from 2005 to 2008 by considering spatial and temporal variability of emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O). One area (Oukoop) is an intensively managed grass-on-peatland area, including a dairy farm, with the ground water level at an average annual depth of 0.55 (±0.37) m below the soil surface. The second area (Stein) is an extensively managed grass-on-peatland area, formerly intensively managed, with a dynamic ground water level at an average annual depth of 0.45 (±0.35) m below the soil surface. The third area is a (since 1998) rewetted former agricultural peatland (Horstermeer), close to Oukoop and Stein, with the average annual ground water level at a depth of 0.2 (±0.20) m below the soil surface. During the measurement campaigns we found that both agriculturally managed sites acted as C and GHG sources and the rewetted former agricultural peatland acted as a C and GHG sink. The ecosystem (fields and ditches) total GHG balance, including CO2, CH4 and N2O, amounted to 3.9 (±0.4), 1.3 (±0.5) and −1.7 (±1.8) g CO2-eq m−2 d−1 for Oukoop, Stein and Horstermeer, respectively. Adding the farm-based emissions to Oukoop and Stein resulted in a total GHG emission of 8.3 (±1.0) and 6.6 (±1.3) g CO2-eq m−2 d−1, respectively. For Horstermeer the GHG balance remained the same since no farm-based emissions exist. Considering the C balance (uncertainty range 40–60%), the total C release in Oukoop and Stein is 5270 and 6258 kg C ha−1 yr−1, respectively (including ecosystem and management fluxes), and the total C uptake in Horstermeer is 3538 kg C ha−1 yr−1. Water bodies contributed significantly to the terrestrial GHG balance because of a high release of CH4. Overall, this study suggests that managed peatlands are large sources of GHGs and C, but, if appropriate measures are taken, they can be turned back into GHG and C sinks within 15 years of abandonment and rewetting. The shift from an intensively managed grass-on-peat area (Oukoop) to an extensively managed one (Stein) reduced the GHG emissions mainly because N2O emission and farm-based CH4 emissions decreased.

Electrolysis of Wastewater - A Laboratory Study

1975 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-223
Author(s):  
N.S. Wei ◽  
G.W. Heinke
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Charge Density ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Phosphate Removal ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Metallic Ions ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Consumable Electrodes

Abstract This paper presents bench scale experimental results on the electrolysis of raw domestic wastewater. Studies carried out with consumable electrodes are discussed. A mathematical model of a small electrolytic sewage treatment unit for individual household application is developed. The energy consumption and cost of such a device are discussed. Electrolysis can be described as a process in which chemical reactions are induced at each electro-liquid interface by applying an external electrical energy source to a system of electrodes immersed in a liquid. This paper deals only with electrolysis where a direct current power supply is used as the energy source. The process is governed by Faraday' s two laws on electrochemistry. The fundamental process parameter is the electrical charge density, measured as coulombs per litre (c/1) of wastewater treated. There are two basic types of electrolysis depending on the choice of anode material. When the anode is made of dissolvable metallic material such as iron, stainless steel and aluminum, the metal dissolves and goes into the sewage as metallic ions and forms hydrated metallic oxides which act as flocculating agents. The amount of metal dissolved is proportional to the quantity of electrical charges supplied to the system. Results from a series of batch experiments showed that electrolysis with consumable electrodes is capable of removing significant amounts of organic pollutants. Total organic carbon (TOC) removal was found to be a function of charge density. Phosphate removal efficiency of 90 percent or higher was achieved at a relatively low charge density of 240 coulombs per litre with either iron or stainless steel anodes. A mathematical model was derived in the conceptual design of a household electrolytic treatment unit. The model incorporates variables such as decomposition voltage of the electrodes and electrical conductivity of the wastewater as well as the physical configuration of the electrolytic cell. The energy requirement of such a unit can be calculated from the model. It is suggested in this paper that an electrolytic waste treatment unit could be an alternative to the septic tank and tile bed system in areas where the latter is not applicable due to poor soil and terrain conditions.

Upgrading Wastewater Treatment by Water Hyacinth in Developing Countries

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar ◽  
R. J. Garde
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Hyacinth ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Treatment System ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Batch Studies ◽  
New Treatment

With increasing stress on existing wastewater treatment systems, it is necessary either to upgrade the treatment unit(s) or install an entirely new treatment plant. Obviously, the upgrading is preferred over the alternative of having a new system. Keeping this in view, in the present project, an attempt has been made to explore the possibility of upgrading existing facultative ponds using water hyacinth. Bench-scale batch studies were designed to compare the performance of hyacinth treatment system with facultative ponds. Investigations were carried out with synthetic wastewater having COD in the range of 32.5-1090 mg/l. The efficiency of COD removal in water hyacinth ponds was 15-20 percent more than the facultative ponds. Based on the results, an empirical model has been proposed for COD removal kinetics. In the second phase of the project a hyacinth pond was continuously operated. BOD, COD, TS, TN, TP, pH, and DO were regularly monitored. However, the DO of the effluent from hyacinth treatment system was considerably reduced. Effluent should be aerated before it is discharged. The results indicate that the existing facultative ponds can be stalked with water hyacinth to improve their performance as well as hyacinth treatment systems can be installed to support the conventional treatment.

Effects of hydraulic shock loads on small on-site sewage treatment unit

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Panswad ◽  
L. Komolmethee
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Hydraulic Shock ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Shock Loads ◽  
Retention Period ◽  
Intermittent Feeding ◽  
Continuous Feed ◽  
Filter Unit

This research was to determine the effects of hydraulic shock loads by intermittent feeding on the removal efficiency of a small prefabricated real-sized septic tank/anaerobic filter unit. Besides the ‘control’ 24-hour continuous runs the other twice a day feeding periods covered 16, 12 and 8 hours per day, with the tank's retention time varying from 22.5 to 90 hours. It was demonstrated that the variation of the hydraulic feeding patterns ranging from 24-hour continuous feed to 8 h per day intermittent feed did not affect the performance of the system much. The percentage of BOD reduction was decreased from 85 to 82 and 81 percent for the feed times of 24, 16 and 8 hours per day, respectively. The tank capacity played a relatively major role in determining the removal efficiency of the process. The efficiency of BOD and SS reduction dwindled from 82.2 to 68.9 and 56.0% with the corresponding reduction in tank sizes from 90 to 45 and 22.5 hours retention, respectively. In any event, the unit could not satisfactorily remove nutrients. A retention period of not less than 48 hours is recommended if the Thai effluent standards are to be met. Equations for predicting the BOD removal capability were also developed.

scholarly journals Woven-Fiber Microfiltration (WFMF) and Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes (UV LEDs) for Treating Wastewater and Septic Tank Effluent

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1564
Author(s):  
Sara Beck ◽  
Poonyanooch Suwan ◽  
Thusitha Rathnayeke ◽  
Thi Nguyen ◽  
Victor Huanambal-Sovero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Uv Disinfection ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Photochemical Process ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Decentralized Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Septic Tank Effluent

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems enable wastewater to be treated at the source for cleaner discharge into the environment, protecting public health while allowing for reuse for agricultural and other purposes. This study, conducted in Thailand, investigated a decentralized wastewater treatment system incorporating a physical and photochemical process. Domestic wastewater from a university campus and conventional septic tank effluent from a small community were filtered through a woven-fiber microfiltration (WFMF) membrane as pretreatment for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. In domestic wastewater, WFMF reduced TSS (by 79.8%), turbidity (76.5%), COD (38.5%), and NO3 (41.4%), meeting Thailand irrigation standards for every parameter except BOD. In septic tank effluent, it did not meet Thailand irrigation standards, but reduced TSS (by 77.9%), COD (37.6%), and TKN (13.5%). Bacteria (total coliform and Escherichia coli) and viruses (MS2 bacteriophage) passing through the membrane were disinfected by flow-through UV reactors containing either a low-pressure mercury lamp or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting an average peak wavelength of 276 nm. Despite challenging and variable water quality conditions (2% < UVT < 88%), disinfection was predictable across water types and flow rates for both UV sources using combined variable modeling, which enabled us to estimate log inactivation of other microorganisms. Following UV disinfection, wastewater quality met the WHO standards for unrestricted irrigation.

Bioreactor septic tank for on-site wastewater treatment: floating constructed wetland integration

2021 ◽  
pp. 105606
Author(s):  
Tanveer Saeed ◽  
Rumana Afrin ◽  
Abdullah Al-Muyeed ◽  
Md Jihad Miah ◽  
Hasin Jahan
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Constructed Wetland ◽  
Septic Tank

The potential of bio-methane as bio-fuel/bio-energy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: a qualitative assessment for Europe in a life cycle perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1683-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Tilche ◽  
Michele Galatola
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Ghg Reduction

Anaerobic digestion is a well known process that (while still capable of showing new features) has experienced several waves of technological development. It was “born” as a wastewater treatment system, in the 1970s showed promise as an alternative energy source (in particular from animal waste), in the 1980s and later it became a standard for treating organic-matter-rich industrial wastewater, and more recently returned to the market for its energy recovery potential, making use of different biomasses, including energy crops. With the growing concern around global warming, this paper looks at the potential of anaerobic digestion in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to GHG reduction has been computed for the 27 EU countries on the basis of their 2005 Kyoto declarations and using life cycle data. The theoretical potential contribution of anaerobic digestion to Kyoto and EU post-Kyoto targets has been calculated. Two different possible biogas applications have been considered: electricity production from manure waste, and upgraded methane production for light goods vehicles (from landfill biogas and municipal and industrial wastewater treatment sludges). The useful heat that can be produced as by-product from biogas conversion into electricity has not been taken into consideration, as its real exploitation depends on local conditions. Moreover the amount of biogas already produced via dedicated anaerobic digestion processes has also not been included in the calculations. Therefore the overall gains achievable would be even higher than those reported here. This exercise shows that biogas may considerably contribute to GHG emission reductions in particular if used as a biofuel. Results also show that its use as a biofuel may allow for true negative GHG emissions, showing a net advantage with respect to other biofuels. Considering also energy crops that will become available in the next few years as a result of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, this study shows that biogas has the potential of covering almost 50% of the 2020 biofuel target of 10% of all automotive transport fuels, without implying a change in land use. Moreover, considering the achievable GHG reductions, a very large carbon emission trading “value” could support the investment needs. However, those results were obtained through a “qualitative” assessment. In order to produce robust data for decision makers, a quantitative sustainability assessment should be carried out, integrating different methodologies within a life cycle framework. The identification of the most appropriate policy for promoting the best set of options is then discussed.

Performance evaluation of different wastewater treatment technologies operating in a developing country

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sílvia C. Oliveira ◽  
Marcos von Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Loading Rates ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Uasb Reactors

This article analyses the performance of 166 wastewater treatment plants operating in Brazil, comprising six different treatment processes: septic tank + anaerobic filter, facultative pond, anaerobic pond + facultative pond, activated sludge, UASB reactors alone, UASB reactors followed by post-treatment. The study evaluates and compares the observed effluent quality and the removal efficiencies in terms of BOD, COD, TSS, TN, TP and FC with typical values reported in the technical literature. In view of the large performance variability observed, the existence of a relationship between design/operational parameters and treatment performance was investigated. From the results obtained, no consistent relationship between loading rates and effluent quality was found. The influence of loading rates differed from plant to plant, and the effluent quality was dictated by several combined factors related to design and operation.

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