A novel concept to integrate energy recovery into potable water reuse treatment schemes

Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination

Koch, Konrad¹  Drewes, Jörg E.¹  Horstmeyer, Nils¹  Weißbach, Max¹ 

[1] Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Am Coulombwall 3, Garching 85748, Germany

关键词: energy efficiency;    energy recovery;    potable water reuse;    resource recovery;    water reclamation;   

DOI  :  10.2166/wrd.2017.051

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

来源: IWA Publishing

【 摘 要 】

Potable water reuse applications can provide a safe and sustainable water supply where conventional freshwater resources are limited. The objectives of this study were fourfold: (i) to analyse existing potable water reuse applications regarding operational characteristics and energy demands, (ii) to determine the theoretical energy potential of wastewater and identify opportunities for energy recovery, (iii) to define design requirements for potable water reuse schemes that integrate energy recovery and (iv) to propose strategies for more energy efficient potable water reuse schemes. Existing potable water reuse schemes commonly utilize conventional wastewater treatment processes including biological nutrient removal followed by advanced water treatment processes. While meeting high product water quality, these treatment schemes are characterized by relatively high specific energy demands (1.18 kWh/m3). Given that the theoretical energy potential of municipal wastewater is approximately two times higher (2.52 kWh/m3), opportunities exist to integrate energy recovery strategies. We propose three alternative potable water reuse schemes that integrate energy recovery from carbon via methane and nitrogen via either the coupled aerobic–anoxic nitrous decomposition operation process or partial nitritation/anammox. Compared to conventional potable water reuse schemes, the energy requirements of these schemes can be reduced by 7–29% and the overall energy balance by 38–80%.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND