ElsevierRobles Martínez, Á.; Ruano García, MV.; Seco Torrecillas, A.; Ferrer, J. (2014
AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the operating cost of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) treating sulphate-rich urban wastewater (UWW) at ambient temperature (ranging from 17 to 33ºC). To this aim, energy consumption, methane production, and sludge handling and recycling to land were evaluated. The results revealed that optimising specific gas demand with respect to permeate volume (SGDP) and sludge retention time (for given ambient temperature conditions) is essential to maximise energy savings (minimum energy demand:0.07 kWh·m -3 ). Moreover, low/moderate sludge productions were obtained (minimum value:0.16 kg TSS·kg -1 CODREMOVED), which further enhanced the overall operating cost of the plant (minimum value: €0.011 per m 3 of treated water). The sulphate content in the influent UWW significantly affected the final production of methane and thereby the overall operating cost.Indeed, the evaluated AnMBR system presented energy surplus potential when treating lowsulphate UWW.
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KeywordsEnergy consumption; industrial-scale hollow-fibre membranes; operating cost; anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR); sulphate-rich urban wastewater.
Elsevier Pretel, R.; Robles Martínez, Á.; Ruano García, MV.; Seco Torrecillas, A.;Ferrer, J. (2013)
AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the environmental impact of a submerged anaerobic MBR (SAnMBR) system in the treatment of urban wastewater at different temperatures: ambient temperature (20 and 33 ºC), and a controlled temperature (33 ºC). To this end, an overall energy balance (OEB) and life cycle assessment (LCA), both based on real process data, were carried out. Four factors were considered in this study: (1) energy consumption during wastewater treatment; (2) energy recovered from biogas capture; (3) potential recovery of nutrients from the final effluent; and (4) sludge disposal. The OEB and LCA showed SAnMBR to be a promising technology for treating urban wastewater at ambient temperature (OEB = 0.19 kWh·m -3 ). LCA results reinforce the importance of maximising the recovery of nutrients (environmental impact in eutrophication can be reduced up to 45%) and dissolved methane (positive environmental impact can be obtained) from SAnMBR effluent.
KeywordsEnergy balance; global warming potential; life cycle assessment; submerged anaerobic MBR (SAnMBR); environmental impact.
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The objective of this study was to assess the economic and environmental sustainability of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) in comparison with aerobic-based technologies for moderate-/high-loaded urban wastewater (UWW) treatment. To this aim, a combined approach of steady-state performance modelling, life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) was used, in which AnMBR (coupled with an aerobic-based post-treatment) was compared to aerobic membrane bioreactor (AeMBR) and conventional activated sludge (CAS). AnMBR with CAS-based post-treatment for nutrient removal was identified as a sustainable option for moderate-/high-loaded UWW treatment: low energy consumption and reduced sludge production could be obtained at given operating conditions. In addition, significant reductions can be achieved in different aspects of environmental impact (global warming potential (GWP), abiotic depletion, acidification, etc.) and LCC over existing UWW treatment technologies.
IWA PublishingPretel-Jolis, R.; Shoener, BD.; Ferrer, J.; Guest, J. (2015). Navigating environmental, economic, and technological trade-offs in the design and operation of submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). Water Research. (87)
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