Climate change adaptation by solar wastewater treatment (SOWAT) for reuse in agriculture and industry^*

Abstract

Access to drinking water and sanitation are among the goals adopted by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, in poor and low‐income countries, this goal has not yet been reached. This is caused by several lacks in the technological mastery of water and wastewater treatment processes, fresh water and sanitation networks, and, finally, financial resources. Increasing the success chances to reach this goal should not happen by copying centralized water and sanitation systems used in high‐income countries. Rather efforts need to be made towards energy‐efficient decentralized water and wastewater treatment facilities, using simple and sustainable low‐cost technologies. The present paper suggests solar wastewater treatment (SOWAT) as an easy decentralized and sustainable wastewater treatment. It combines three steps of conventional wastewater treatment (i.e., pretreatment, biological treatment, and disinfection) by using a single treatment step conducted in a single equipment: solar still. It is has been experimentally tested to treat saline, domestic, municipal, and industrial wastewaters. All obtained results have recorded significant removal of inorganic, organic, bacteriologic, and metallic pollution. For community and industrial use, a new design of a hybrid SOWAT micro‐plant proposes the integration of a pretreatment stage and a smart multi‐source heating system. It is decentralized because it is powered by solar energy, other renewable energies, recovered flared gas, or conventional energy. Its continuous operation during the decrease or absence of solar radiation, by night, is expected to increase its daily production from 255% to 1,500%.

Social Innovation for Sustainable Development

“…Solar-powered wastewater treatment systems provide a sustainable alternative to traditional energy-intensive methods, leading to decreased carbon emissions and environmental impacts (Shilton et al, 2008). This renewable energy solution helps mitigate climate change by encouraging the use of clean energy and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels (Igoud et al, 2021). The societal innovations in waste management, water conservation, and renewable energy use in Menanti Laburan Tourism Park provide a comprehensive strategy for adapting to and mitigating climate change.…”

A comprehensive review on comparison among effluent treatment methods and modern methods of treatment of industrial wastewater effluent from different sources

“… Tartaric acid, acetic acid, EDTA Flotation Efficient separation, applicable for low grade embedding Causes environmental pollution, finer grinding particle size is needed Garole DJ et al ( 2018 ) 14 Solar industry (photovoltaics) Metals like silicon, silver, copper, aluminium, etc. Hydrohalic acid Sedimentation and centrifugation Labor-intensive, short harvesting times Less flexibility and suitable for larger volumes Igoud S et al ( 2021 ) 15 Iron and steel Manganese, iron, aluminium, silicon, titanium, vanadium, etc. Sulphuric acid, butyric acid, and other organic and mineral acids Flocculation and precipitation Process simplicity and integrated physicochemical technique Not cost-effective, system controls are required Wang LP et al ( 2019 ) 16 Semiconductor s Metalloids such as antimony, selenium, gallium, germanium, etc.…”