Emergy analysis for the sustainable utilization of biosolids generated in a municipal wastewater treatment plant

Abstract

This contribution describes the application of an emergy-based methodology for comparing two management alternatives of biosolids produced in a wastewater treatment plant. The current management practice of using biosolids as soil fertilizers was evaluated and compared to another alternative, the recovery of energy from the biosolid gasification process. This emergy assessment and comparison approach identifies more sustainable processes which achieve economic and social benefits with a minimal environmental impact. In addition, emergy-based sustainability indicators and the GREENSCOPE methodology were used to compare the two biosolid management alternatives. According to the sustainability assessment results, the energy production from biosolid gasification is energetically profitable, economically viable, and environmentally suitable. Furthermore, it was found that the current use of biosolids as soil fertilizer does not generate any considerable environmental stress, has the potential to achieve more economic benefits, and a post-processing of biosolids prior to its use as soil fertilizer improves its sustainability performance. In conclusion, this emergy analysis provides a sustainability assessment of both alternatives of biosolid management and helps decision-makers to identify opportunities for improvement during the current process of biosolid management.

Study on the Choice of Wastewater Treatment Process Based on the Emergy Theory

“…analysis framework [31]. The emergy approach has also compared two managem schemes for biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants [32]. Impro evaluation indicators based on emergy analysis were created to compare the sustainab of different wastewater treatment processes [33] and evaluate the wastewater treatm system of a sugar mill in Kenya [34].…”

“…A wastewater treatment system of straw pulp papermaking and a wastewater treatment system of printing, dyeing, and papermaking were selected to evaluate the sustainability level of wastewater treatment systems in China, based on a hybrid neural network and emergy analysis framework [31]. The emergy approach has also compared two management schemes for biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants [32]. Improved evaluation indicators based on emergy analysis were created to compare the sustainability of different wastewater treatment processes [33] and evaluate the wastewater treatment system of a sugar mill in Kenya [34].…”

Sustainable management of biological solids in small treatment plants: overview of strategies and reuse options for a solar drying facility in Poland

“…It can then be used to compare different biosolid management alternatives. An emergy-based sustainability assessment of biosolids disposal options confirmed that gasification is energetically and environmentally suitable for biosolids disposal, and pre-processing of biosolids prior to their use in agriculture was shown to improve sustainability performance of this option (Cano Londoño et al 2017 ).…”

A Dynamic Comparison Sustainability Study of Standard Wastewater Treatment System in the Straw Pulp Papermaking Process and Printing & Dyeing Papermaking Process Based on the Hybrid Neural Network and Emergy Framework

“…Taking the wastewater treatment in Happy Farmer's Home as an example, Junsheng et al confirmed several influencing factors on sustainability in China [35]. Natalia et al conducted an emergy assessment in a wastewater treatment plant, which compared two management alternatives of biosolids [36]. The wastewater treatment system from a sugar factory in Sweden was assessed on the basis of the emergy theory [37].…”