Assessment of the production of biodiesel from urban wastewater-derived lipids

in Resources, Conservation and Recycling (2020), 162

Production of biodiesel is one of the most important European targets within renewables for the future. To consider biodiesel a feasible alternative to fossil fuel, unconventional resources need to be ... [more ▼]

Production of biodiesel is one of the most important European targets within renewables for the future. To consider biodiesel a feasible alternative to fossil fuel, unconventional resources need to be exploited. This review aims to provide up-to-date knowledge on the existing reuse of lipids from urban wastewater to produce biodiesel. Lipids are readily removed by mixed microbial populations during wastewater treatments in sewage plants. Assessment results on potential annual European market supply indicate 3 – 414 104 tons (min for activated and max for grease trap sludge) of potentially extractable biodiesel from wastewater and an expected biodiesel demand of 14.8 106 tons. Considering the prospect of transforming sewage plants into biorefineries, we may cover on average 1.5, 6.2, 6.7 and 24.4% of activated, primary, scum and grease trap sludge respectively, of the European biodiesel market from wastewater-derived lipids. In addition, by implementing an optimized biotechnology selector, the overall biodiesel yield could be higher due to increased lipid incorporation into microbial biomass. This is not an insignificant amount and, if efficiently implemented, could represent an exploitable resource for biofuel production, an important and desired step towards a circular economy. The technology readiness level is still very low. There are several challenges and possible drawbacks, e.g., biogas yield loss, substrate depletion, or formation of floating sludge. Finally, no definitive legislative barriers towards wastewater-derived lipids have been identified; however, quality criteria as well as waste status have to be defined. [less ▲]

A review of nature-based solutions for resource recovery in cities

in Blue-Green System (2020), 2(1)

Our modern cities are resource sinks designed on the current linear economic model which recovers very little of the original input. As the current model is not sustainable, a viable solution is to ... [more ▼]

Our modern cities are resource sinks designed on the current linear economic model which recovers very little of the original input. As the current model is not sustainable, a viable solution is to recover and reuse parts of the input. In this context, resource recovery using nature-based solutions (NBS) is gaining popularity worldwide. In this specific review, we focus on NBS as technologies that bring nature into cities and those that are derived from nature, using (micro)organisms as principal agents, provided they enable resource recovery. The findings presented in this work are based on an extensive literature review, as well as on original results of recent innovation projects across Europe. The case studies were collected by participants of the COST Action Circular City, which includes a portfolio of more than 92 projects. The present review article focuses on urban wastewater, industrial wastewater, municipal solid waste and gaseous effluents, the recoverable products (e.g., nutrients, nanoparticles, energy), as well as the implications of source-separation and circularity by design. The analysis also includes assessment of the maturity of different technologies (technology readiness level) and the barriers that need to be overcome to accelerate the transition to resilient, self-sustainable cities of the future. [less ▲]

Large-scale determination of micropollutant elimination from municipal wastewater by passive sampling gives new insights in governing parameters and degradation patterns

in Water Research (2019)

ROLE OF TARGETED BIOCHAR-ACTIVATION IN THE REMOVAL OF MACRO- AND MICROPOLLUTANTS FROM SECONDARY EFFLUENT WASTEWATER

in Book of Abstracts 8th International Symposium On Wetland Pollutant Dynamics and Control (2019, January 30)

Assessment of the production of biodiesel from urban wastewater-derived lipids

Scientific Conference (2019)

By adopting a Circular Economy Package in 2015, European Commission aimed at stimulating transition towards a stronger and more circular economy where waste (including sewage) is no longer recognized as ... [more ▼]

By adopting a Circular Economy Package in 2015, European Commission aimed at stimulating transition towards a stronger and more circular economy where waste (including sewage) is no longer recognized as waste, but as a valuable resource of raw materials. This review study assesses the existing methodologies to produce biodiesel from wastewater-derived lipids. Depending on the stage of wastewater treatment where biodiesel would be extracted, it may cover up to 20% of the current European biodiesel demand. Further studies in regards to the biodiesel quality, legislative conditions and techno-economic assessment towards respective transition are needed. [less ▲]

Mikroschadstoffe im Sauer-Einzugsgebiet: Lösungswege abseits der klassischen Eliminationsverfahren

Book published by Wasser - Infrastruktur - Ressourcen (2019)

Is a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland a suitable polishing treatment for micropollutant removal in small and medium-sized WWTPs? A case of study

Poster (2018, October 02)

Identifizierung von Optimierungspotenzialen bei Kläranlagen mit Faulung

in Wasser und Abfall (2018), 4

Es wurden Checklisten zur anlagenspezifischen Identifizierung von Optimierungspotenzialen für Kläranlagen mit Faulung entwickelt. Wesentliche Ziele sind die energetische Optimierung der Anlagen, die ... [more ▼]

Es wurden Checklisten zur anlagenspezifischen Identifizierung von Optimierungspotenzialen für Kläranlagen mit Faulung entwickelt. Wesentliche Ziele sind die energetische Optimierung der Anlagen, die Reduzierung der Schlammmengen für die Entsorgung und die Sicherstellung der Abwasserreinigung auf einem hohen Niveau. Ein Überblick über die Ansätze zur Optimierung bestehender Faulungsanlagen, die Checklisten sowie Ergebnisse bei deren Anwendung wird gegeben. [less ▲]

Is A Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland A Suitable Polishing Treatment For Micropollutant Removal In Medium-sized WWTPs? A Case Of Study

in 16th IWA Wetland System for Water Pollution Control, ICWS2018 (2018)

A data-driven methodology to support pump performance analysis and energy effiency optimization in wastewater treatment plants

in Applied Energy (2017), 208

Studies and publications from the past ten years demonstrate that generally the energy efficiency of Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is unsatisfactory. In this domain, efficient pump energy ... [more ▼]

Studies and publications from the past ten years demonstrate that generally the energy efficiency of Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is unsatisfactory. In this domain, efficient pump energy management can generate economic and environmental benefits. Although the availability of on-line sensors can provide high-frequency information about pump systems, at best, energy assessment is carried out a few times a year using aggregated data. Consequently, pump inefficiencies are normally detected late and the comprehension of pump system dynamics is often not satisfactory. In this paper, a data-driven methodology to support the daily energy decision-making is presented. This innovative approach, based on fuzzy logic, supports plant managers with detailed information about pump performance, and provides case-based suggestions to reduce the pump system energy consumption and extend pump life spans. A case study, performed on a WWTP in Germany, shows that it is possible to identify energy inefficiencies and case-based solutions to reduce the pump energy consumption by 18.5%. [less ▲]