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Energy neutrality potential of wastewater treatment plants: A novel evaluation framework integrating energy efficiency and recovery

Energy neutrality potential of wastewater treatment plants: A novel evaluation framework... Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) consume large amounts of energy and emit greenhouse gases to remove pollutants. This study proposes a framework for evaluating the energy neutrality potential (ENP) of WWTPs from an integrated perspective. Operational data of 970 WWTPs in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) were extracted from the China Urban Drainage Yearbook 2018. The potential chemical and thermal energies were estimated using combined heat and power (CHP) and water source heat pump, respectively. Two key performance indicators (KPIs) were then established: the energy self-sufficiency (ESS) indicator, which reflects the offset degree of energy recovery, and the comprehensive water-energy efficiency (CWEE) indicator, which characterizes the efficiency of water-energy conversion. For the qualitative results, 98 WWTPs became the benchmark (i.e., CWEE = 1.000), while 112 WWTPs were fully self-sufficient (i.e., ESS ⩾ 100%). Subsequently, four types of ENP were classified by setting the median values of the two KPIs as the critical value. The WWTPs with high ENP had high net thermal energy values and relatively loose discharge limits. The explanatory factor analysis of water quantity and quality verified the existence of scale economies. Sufficient carbon source and biodegradability condition were also significant factors. As the CWEE indicator was mostly sensitive to the input of CHP, future optimization shall focus on the moisture and organic content of sludge. This study proposes a novel framework for evaluating the ENP of WWTPs. The results can provide guidance for optimizing the energy efficiency and recovery of WWTPs.[graphic not available: see fulltext] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering Springer Journals

Energy neutrality potential of wastewater treatment plants: A novel evaluation framework integrating energy efficiency and recovery

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References (38)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © Higher Education Press 2022
ISSN
2095-2201
eISSN
2095-221X
DOI
10.1007/s11783-022-1549-0
Publisher site
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Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) consume large amounts of energy and emit greenhouse gases to remove pollutants. This study proposes a framework for evaluating the energy neutrality potential (ENP) of WWTPs from an integrated perspective. Operational data of 970 WWTPs in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) were extracted from the China Urban Drainage Yearbook 2018. The potential chemical and thermal energies were estimated using combined heat and power (CHP) and water source heat pump, respectively. Two key performance indicators (KPIs) were then established: the energy self-sufficiency (ESS) indicator, which reflects the offset degree of energy recovery, and the comprehensive water-energy efficiency (CWEE) indicator, which characterizes the efficiency of water-energy conversion. For the qualitative results, 98 WWTPs became the benchmark (i.e., CWEE = 1.000), while 112 WWTPs were fully self-sufficient (i.e., ESS ⩾ 100%). Subsequently, four types of ENP were classified by setting the median values of the two KPIs as the critical value. The WWTPs with high ENP had high net thermal energy values and relatively loose discharge limits. The explanatory factor analysis of water quantity and quality verified the existence of scale economies. Sufficient carbon source and biodegradability condition were also significant factors. As the CWEE indicator was mostly sensitive to the input of CHP, future optimization shall focus on the moisture and organic content of sludge. This study proposes a novel framework for evaluating the ENP of WWTPs. The results can provide guidance for optimizing the energy efficiency and recovery of WWTPs.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

Journal

Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering – Springer Journals

Published: Sep 1, 2022

Keywords: Wastewater treatment plants; Energy neutrality potential; Energy efficiency; Energy recovery; Evaluation framework

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