Modeling and Optimization of Recycled Water Systems to Augment Urban Groundwater Recharge through Underutilized Stormwater Spreading Basins

Bradshaw, Jonathan L.; Luthy, Richard G.

doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b02671

Cited by 24 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The average piping length per building area was approximated based on measurements of an existing typical building with water reuse infrastructure [27]. The piping costs are calculated as directly related to the piping length and diameter (SI-section 3) for economic cost [28], energy intensity and GHG emissions [29], and are reported in table S-1 in the supplementary information (SI) available at stacks.iop.org/ERL/13/064001/mmedia. Piping costs include only material costs; note that installation costs may be significant and could be substantially higher for retrofits compared to new construction.…”

Section: Spatial Conveyance Submodulementioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial optimization for decentralized non-potable water reuse

Kavvada

Nelson

Horvath

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Decentralization has the potential to reduce the scale of the piped distribution network needed to enable non-potable water reuse (NPR) in urban areas by producing recycled water closer to its point of use. However, tradeoffs exist between the economies of scale of treatment facilities and the size of the conveyance infrastructure, including energy for upgradient distribution of recycled water. To adequately capture the impacts from distribution pipes and pumping requirements, site-specific conditions must be accounted for. In this study, a generalized framework (a heuristic modeling approach using geospatial algorithms) is developed that estimates the financial cost, the energy use, and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with NPR (for toilet flushing) as a function of scale of treatment and conveyance networks with the goal of determining the optimal degree of decentralization. A decision-support platform is developed to assess and visualize NPR system designs considering topography, economies of scale, and building size. The platform can be used for scenario development to explore the optimal system size based on the layout of current or new buildings. The model also promotes technology innovation by facilitating the systems-level comparison of options to lower costs, improve energy efficiency, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

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Section: Spatial Conveyance Submodulementioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial optimization for decentralized non-potable water reuse

Kavvada

Nelson

Horvath

2018

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…They also note if decentralised systems are made bigger in scales than smaller ones as practised, those life cycle energy and GHG emissions could be further less. Centralised wastewater treatment systems usually have less lifecycle energy GHSs emissions but Bradshaw and Luthy (2017) recently show that it can be high when more pumping is involved for water reuse. The uncertainty of having low life cycle energy and GHGs emissions for the centralised system is high but for larger decentralised (distrib 5 1 MG equal 3785.4 kiloliters 6 kWh (Kilo watt hour), kL-kilolitre.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How scale and technology influence the energy intensity of water recycling systems-An analytical review

Paul

Kenway

Mukheibir

2019

Journal of Cleaner Production

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Many cities are moving towards increased use of recycled water to meet water demand due to freshwater scarcity, population growth, urbanisation and climate change. Water recycling requires substantial energy. Water utilities are facing serious challenges providing cost-effective and reliable water services under rising energy cost. Energy is further linked with global climate change through carbon intensive Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions. However, few studies have attempted to understand the energy use of water recycling systems and how energy intensity of those systems varies with scale and technology. In this paper, we undertook a comprehensive and systematic literature and data review to understand the energy intensity of water recycling systems. We used four "cases": (1) Centralised Potable (2) Centralised Non-Potable, (3) Decentralised Potable and (4) Decentralised Non-Potable systems to structure our work. Our analysis demonstrates how energy intensity of water recycling systems decreases with increasing size for a wide range of scale and for different treatment technologies. The treatment energy intensity for centralised systems having capacity less than 5 MLD varies from 0.48 to 2.0 kWh/kL for non-potable and 0.75 to 2.0 kWh/k for potable; for capacities between 5 and 200 MLD varies from 0.2 to 0.9 kWh/kL for potable and from 0.25 to 0.75 kWh/ kL for non-potable; and for any capacity greater than 200 MLD, the treatment energy intensity is less than 0.8 kWh/kL for potable and 0.55 kWh/kL for non-potable systems. But current centralised water recycling systems have a treatment energy intensity from 0.65 to 1.4 kWh/kL for Potable for capacity from 21 to 378 MLD and from 0.6 to 1.0 kWh/kL for non-potable systems for 6 to 350 MLD. In the case of decentralised systems, smaller systems consume higher energy than centralised systems but larger decentralised Systems (mid-size) have lower energy intensity. Though the treatment energy intensity of a centralised system is low, the reuse of treated water for non-potable water requires a dual pipe system which involves a good amount of pumping energy due to the long distance between the treatment plant and the users. Pumping energy, in this case, can vary from 0.19 to 1.43 kWh/kL. The selected treatment technology and train have also influence on the energy use. The present trend of water recycling is to produce high-quality recycled water for all non-potable reuse using Advanced Water Treatment but all non-potable water uses do not necessarily require such high quality water. Little attention has been given to introducing 'fit for purpose' water reuse using appropriate technologies and larger decentralised water recycling systems that have the potential to reduce energy intensity for cost-effective urban water services.

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“…Using engineering and economic equations, our model computes system life cycle costs for different system designs as a function of different input and decision variables (Table ). We rely on Bradshaw and Luthy's () approach to describe the system life cycle costs and the conveyance system's engineering feasibility. System life cycle costs comprise capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, replacement costs, and salvage value associated with producing and conveying FAT recycled water to existing storm water spreading basins.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In cases where existing spreading basins primarily receive intermittent storm water deliveries, adding advanced treated recycled water can create more consistent, higher‐quality, groundwater recharge. Moreover, in arid and semiarid regions with highly seasonal precipitation, existing storm water spreading basins may have substantial potential to receive additional water volumes (Bradshaw & Luthy, ). Our study's scope comprises the primary engineering and economic factors, detailed in section , that a water planning organization typically considers during a recycled water engineering study—for example, a feasibility study or master planning study—on which water planners often rely when deciding which projects to pursue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

System Modeling, Optimization, and Analysis of Recycled Water and Dynamic Storm Water Deliveries to Spreading Basins for Urban Groundwater Recharge

Bradshaw

Osorio

Schmitt³

et al. 2019

Water Resources Research

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To bolster freshwater supplies, water managers are increasingly interested in recharging groundwater using storm water and recycled water. However, such multisupply groundwater recharge projects are hindered by the lack of planning tools to evaluate system design costs and trade‐offs. This study presents modeling advancements that provide enhanced insights into multisupply spreading basin systems (i.e., spreading basins that accommodate both advanced treated recycled water and dynamically available storm water), a form of managed aquifer recharge. The model identifies system designs that optimize infrastructure life cycle cost and water volumes infiltrated for groundwater recharge. To illustrate the model's application under realistic conditions, we present a case study of Los Angeles, California. In this case study, we find that competition between storm water and recycled water for spreading basin use is relatively minor. Moreover, compared to systems based on existing conservative assumptions, our methods identify optimal dynamic system designs that are 5%–20% more cost‐effective, primarily resulting from higher water recycling facility utilization. Overall, this approach, which considers the dynamic nature of storm water availability and variable recycled water production, can inform water planners of the cost, water volume, and energy trade‐offs associated with different multisupply spreading basin system designs, including varying levels of centralization.

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Modeling and Optimization of Recycled Water Systems to Augment Urban Groundwater Recharge through Underutilized Stormwater Spreading Basins

Cited by 24 publications

References 34 publications

Spatial optimization for decentralized non-potable water reuse

Spatial optimization for decentralized non-potable water reuse

How scale and technology influence the energy intensity of water recycling systems-An analytical review

System Modeling, Optimization, and Analysis of Recycled Water and Dynamic Storm Water Deliveries to Spreading Basins for Urban Groundwater Recharge

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