Real-Time Monitoring and Static Data Analysis to Assess Energetic and Environmental Performances in the Wastewater Sector: A Case Study

Abstract

Real-time monitoring of energetic-environmental parameters in wastewater treatment plants enables big-data analysis for a true representation of the operating condition of a system, being still frequently mismanaged through policies based on the analysis of static data (energy billing, periodic chemical–physical analysis of wastewater). Here we discuss the results of monitoring activities based on both offline (“static”) data on the main process variables, and on-line (“dynamic”) data collected through a monitoring system for energetic-environmental parameters (dissolved oxygen, wastewater pH and temperature, TSS intake and output). Static-data analysis relied on a description model that employed statistical normalization techniques (KPIs, operational indicators). Dynamic data were statistically processed to explore possible correlations between energetic-environmental parameters, establishing comparisons with static data. Overall, the system efficiently fulfilled its functions, although it was undersized compared to the organic and hydraulic load it received. From the dynamic-data analysis, no correlation emerged between energy usage of the facility and dissolved oxygen content of the wastewater, whereas the TSS removal efficiency determined through static measurements was found to be underestimated. Finally, using probes allowed to characterize the pattern of pH and temperature values of the wastewater, which represent valuable physiological data for innovative and sustainable resource recovery technologies involving microorganisms.

A Review on the Reliability and the Readiness Level of Microalgae-Based Nutrient Recovery Technologies for Secondary Treated Effluent in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

“…Di Cicco et al, 2021, for example, report a case study from the Agropoli WWTP (45,000 p.e.) in Italy where the average temperature of 22 • C and the average sub-acid pH values from 5 to 7 in the bioreactor form a potentially suitable medium for greenhouse growth of the emerging extremophilic thermoacidophilic microalgae with high potential for WWT and resource recovery [101].…”

“…The majority of algae grow in mediums with pH levels between 7 and 9 [8,102]. However, some algae are alkalophilic with preferable pH values of 9 or even 10 and above, while other strains, such as the extremophilic thermoacidophilic microalgae, prefer mediums with pH values of 5-6, which were measured in the effluent of real WWTPs [8,101,102].…”

Industrial Drying of Fruit and Vegetable Products: Customized Smart Monitoring and Analytical Characterization of Process Variables in the OTTORTO Project

“…In this context, it is necessary to emphasize the considerable efforts being sought in the European Union and National States with the "Green New Deal" programs that aims to implement policies for the minimization of CO 2 emissions, the development of renewable energies, as well as the recovery of resources from waste matrices, such as solid and liquid wastes [30][31][32][33][34][35]. These energy-environmental optimization goals can only be realized by introducing "smart" methodologies, protocols and technologies in the industrial production processes, as relevant scientific literature has already demonstrated the results of such applications in a variety of industrial sectors related to citizens' lives [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]. At the international level, efforts have been undertaken for some years now to fulfil this objective through the activation of specific policies and the encouragement of research and development projects.…”

Characterizing passenger-ship emissions: towards improved sustainability for MedMar fleet (gulf of Naples)

“…Significantly, if the shipping sector was considered as a distinct country, it would rank as the sixth largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the world, right between Japan and Germany. The maritime sector is significantly responsible for a large part of emissions of marine pollutants (substance release, thermal and noise pollution) and atmospheric pollutants (NOx, SOx, PM) (Brenna et al 2020 ), while its share of GHG emissions currently corresponds to 2–3% on a global scale (Smith et al 2014 ), exceeding or almost equalling many other sectors that provide services of extreme importance to humans, such as the water (di Cicco et al 2019 ), waste stream treatment (di Cicco et al 2021 ) and telecommunications sectors (Vetromile et al 2021 ). But this number could still increase, because the demand for maritime transport is growing rapidly and so are the associated fuel consumption emissions.…”