Energy intensity modeling for wastewater treatment technologies
María Molinos-Senante1, Ramón Sala-Garrido2, Adina Iftimi3
1Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, El Comendador 1916, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable CONICYT/FONDAP/15110020, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile.
The Science of the Total Environment
|March 21, 2018
Summary
Wastewater treatment plants show economies of scale in energy use, meaning larger facilities are more energy efficient. Pollutant removal efficiency has minimal impact on overall energy intensity for these plants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Resource Management
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are significant energy consumers, prompting a need for reduced energy use.
- Existing studies show considerable variation in energy intensity (EI) among WWTPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of technical variables on the energy intensity of WWTPs.
- To identify factors affecting energy use across different secondary treatment technologies.
Main Methods:
- Modeled the energy intensity of 305 WWTPs.
- Grouped WWTPs into five categories based on secondary treatment technology.
- Assessed the impact of technical variables and pollutant removal efficiency on EI.
Main Results:
- WWTPs utilizing conventional activated sludge, extended aeration, trickling biofilters, and biodisks demonstrated significant economies of scale in energy use.
- Pollutant removal efficiency had a negligible impact on WWTP energy intensity.
Conclusions:
- Economies of scale are a key factor in optimizing energy efficiency in WWTPs.
- Policy makers can leverage these findings for planning new facilities and improving existing ones.
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