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Carbon Emission Accounting and the Carbon Neutralization Model for a Typical Wastewater Treatment Plant in China

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  • Chenxi Pang

    (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xi Luo

    (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
    Yangtze Ecology and Environment Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430062, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Bing Rong

    (Beijing Urban Construction Design & Development Group Co., Limited, Beijing 100037, China)

  • Xuebiao Nie

    (Beijing Enterprises Water Group (China) Investment Limited, Beijing 100102, China)

  • Zhengyu Jin

    (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Xue Xia

    (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

To reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in China, it is pivotal to explore low-carbon wastewater treatment processes and carbon-neutral wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated the Beijing Gaobeidian WWTP to explore the current energy consumption and carbon emission status of representative WWTPs in China. Furthermore, it explored a possible low-carbon operating model. Results show that the current total energy consumption of Gaobeidian WWTP is 280,717 MWh/y, while its energy recovery is 268,788 MWh/y. As a result, the energy neutralization ratio is 95.8%, and the plant is close to reaching energy neutrality. The carbon emission of this plant is 446,468 t/y. However, it reduced its carbon emissions by 252,994 t/y and reached only 56.7% of carbon neutrality. Although the plant almost reached energy neutrality, it has a long way to go before reaching carbon neutrality. It was found that a subsequent increase in the recovery of residual heat from secondary effluent can increase the energy and carbon neutralization ratio to 523.1% and 219.0%, respectively, meaning that the WWTP can become a power production unit and a carbon sink. This study can provide a reference for exploring efficient energy use and reaching carbon neutrality for domestic WWTPs.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenxi Pang & Xi Luo & Bing Rong & Xuebiao Nie & Zhengyu Jin & Xue Xia, 2022. "Carbon Emission Accounting and the Carbon Neutralization Model for a Typical Wastewater Treatment Plant in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:140-:d:1011562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Zeng, Siyu & Chen, Xing & Dong, Xin & Liu, Yi, 2017. "Efficiency assessment of urban wastewater treatment plants in China: Considering greenhouse gas emissions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 157-165.
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