The objective of this study was the assessment of environmental sustainability of urban wastewater reuse for irrigation of energy crops, by carrying out the balance of CO2 emissions in biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The proposed innovative scheme is able to remove pathogens and dangerous components for the environment, but it is able to release nutrients useful for fertigation of energy crops. Moreover, it has a significant operational flexibility, which is guaranteed by the possibility of gradually changing the plant configuration passing from the configuration for irrigation of energy crops to that for discharge into receiving water bodies. The innovative feature of this research is the assessment of the budget of climatechanging greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) caused by the simplified treatment for controlled release and reuse of reclaimed wastewater. Numerical simulations were carried out by implementing the ASM1 model. The stoichiometric matrix of the ASM1 model was modified, in order to obtain equivalent emissions of greenhouse gases directly from the mass balance equations. The developed model is able to perform a continuous monitoring of equivalent CO2 emissions from WWTPs. The aim is to assess the evolution of GHG due to changes of possible adopted treatment schemes, and to estimate the amount of emissions. The new controlled-release scheme produces wastewater with high concentrations of fertilizers and nutrients, such as stabilized nitrogen and organic matter, but, at the same time, it minimizes risks for the environment, by reducing the total emissions of equivalent CO2.
Wastewater reuse for irrigation of energy crops: CO2 balance in simplified treatment schemes
MANCINI, Ignazio Marcello;MASI, Salvatore;CANIANI, Donatella;COLUCCI, VITO DARIO;CHIOLA, SARA;LABELLA, ALESSANDRO
2012-01-01
Abstract
The objective of this study was the assessment of environmental sustainability of urban wastewater reuse for irrigation of energy crops, by carrying out the balance of CO2 emissions in biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The proposed innovative scheme is able to remove pathogens and dangerous components for the environment, but it is able to release nutrients useful for fertigation of energy crops. Moreover, it has a significant operational flexibility, which is guaranteed by the possibility of gradually changing the plant configuration passing from the configuration for irrigation of energy crops to that for discharge into receiving water bodies. The innovative feature of this research is the assessment of the budget of climatechanging greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) caused by the simplified treatment for controlled release and reuse of reclaimed wastewater. Numerical simulations were carried out by implementing the ASM1 model. The stoichiometric matrix of the ASM1 model was modified, in order to obtain equivalent emissions of greenhouse gases directly from the mass balance equations. The developed model is able to perform a continuous monitoring of equivalent CO2 emissions from WWTPs. The aim is to assess the evolution of GHG due to changes of possible adopted treatment schemes, and to estimate the amount of emissions. The new controlled-release scheme produces wastewater with high concentrations of fertilizers and nutrients, such as stabilized nitrogen and organic matter, but, at the same time, it minimizes risks for the environment, by reducing the total emissions of equivalent CO2.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
