Evaluation of the WERF Life Cycle Assessment Manager for Energy Recovery (LCAMER) Tool for Two Complex Facilities

Abstract

While residuals (solids) management is a demanding and costly component of wastewater treatment, wastewater residuals also represent an opportunity for energy recovery and for reducing overall treatment costs. Wastewater utilities are interested in moderating the impacts of volatile electric power costs and in enhancing their environmental sustainability.Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) developed the Life Cycle Assessment Manager for Energy Recovery (LCAMER) spreadsheet-based tool in 2006 for the purpose of assessing life cycle costs for on-site energy recovery systems using biogas produced by anaerobic digestion of biosolids. The authors completed two case studies to demonstrate the application of the LCAMER Tool. The case studies focused on demonstrating the applicability, effectiveness, and areas of improvement for the LCAMER Tool by evaluating proposed anaerobic digestion and biogas-to-energy improvements for two large wastewater utilities. The case studies discussed in this document include detailed data on biogas generation, estimated energy recovery facility capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, and discussion of potential air emissions from such facilities.

Biogas Cogeneration System Sizing and Payback Based on Weekly Patterns of Anaerobic Digestion and Biosolids Dryer Operation

“…The financial comparison of the five cogeneration alternatives is presented in more detail by Surti et al (2011) and is summarized in Table 2. The ICE technology's lifecycle financial benefit at about $5,500,000 was estimated to be more than twice the financial benefit from the secondbest technology for SCBWRF, the gas turbine technology (at about $2,400,000).…”