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Methodology for Energy Optimization in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Phase I: Control of the Best Operating Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Belén Lozano Avilés

    (Water Department, VECTORIS, S.L., 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain)

  • Francisco del Cerro Velázquez

    (Department of Electromagnetism and Electronics. Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, 5, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain)

  • Mercedes Llorens Pascual del Riquelme

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, 5, 30100 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

Most purification systems work correctly from the point of view of water quality; purification, like any industrial process, must also be carried out efficiently with a minimization of costs. The overall project examined the potential benefits of using a recommended methodology for process evaluation and energy optimization in the aeration stage of activated sludge in the biological reactor at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), which accounts for more than 44% of total operating costs. This energy control methodology encompasses the process, the installation and the control system. These three phases are examined in separate articles to make it easier to guide the user in the arduous task of optimizing energy efficiency of the WWTP from start to finish. This article focuses on Phase I of the methodology, the stage in charge of selecting the correct variables to control the best process conditions in the activated sludge system of the WWTP. Operating conditions that are a function of the recommended sludge age are influenced by exogenous factors such as temperature. The implementation of a real-time control system of the selected process variables, adapted to the needs, achieves reductions in the overall energy consumption of the installation, in this phase alone, of more than 15%, by reducing the oxygen requirements of the system and the recirculation ratios.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Belén Lozano Avilés & Francisco del Cerro Velázquez & Mercedes Llorens Pascual del Riquelme, 2019. "Methodology for Energy Optimization in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Phase I: Control of the Best Operating Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:14:p:3919-:d:249514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Hongtao & Yang, Yi & Keller, Arturo A. & Li, Xiang & Feng, Shijin & Dong, Ya-nan & Li, Fengting, 2016. "Comparative analysis of energy intensity and carbon emissions in wastewater treatment in USA, Germany, China and South Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 873-881.
    2. Gu, Yifan & Li, Yue & Li, Xuyao & Luo, Pengzhou & Wang, Hongtao & Robinson, Zoe P. & Wang, Xin & Wu, Jiang & Li, Fengting, 2017. "The feasibility and challenges of energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 1463-1475.
    3. Longo, Stefano & d’Antoni, Benedetto Mirko & Bongards, Michael & Chaparro, Antonio & Cronrath, Andreas & Fatone, Francesco & Lema, Juan M. & Mauricio-Iglesias, Miguel & Soares, Ana & Hospido, Almudena, 2016. "Monitoring and diagnosis of energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants. A state of the art and proposals for improvement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1251-1268.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosa M. Llácer-Iglesias & P. Amparo López-Jiménez & Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, 2021. "Energy Self-Sufficiency Aiming for Sustainable Wastewater Systems: Are All Options Being Explored?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Mónica Vergara-Araya & Verena Hilgenfeldt & Di Peng & Heidrun Steinmetz & Jürgen Wiese, 2021. "Modelling to Lower Energy Consumption in a Large WWTP in China While Optimising Nitrogen Removal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.

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