Abstract
Separation of different domestic wastewater streams and targeted on-site treatment for resource recovery has been recognized as one of the most promising sanitation concepts to re-establish the balance in carbon, nutrient and water cycles. In this study a model was developed based on literature data to compare energy and water balance, nutrient recovery, chemical use, effluent quality and land area requirement in four different sanitation concepts: (1) centralized; (2) centralized with source-separation of urine; (3) source-separation of black water, kitchen refuse and grey water; and (4) source-separation of urine, feces, kitchen refuse and grey water. The highest primary energy consumption of 914 MJ/capita(cap)/year was attained within the centralized sanitation concept, and the lowest primary energy consumption of 437 MJ/cap/year was attained within source-separation of urine, feces, kitchen refuse and grey water. Grey water bio-flocculation and subsequent grey water sludge co-digestion decreased the primary energy consumption, but was not energetically favorable to couple with grey water effluent reuse. Source-separation of urine improved the energy balance, nutrient recovery and effluent quality, but required larger land area and higher chemical use in the centralized concept.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1006-1035 |
Journal | Water |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- waste water treatment
- households
- effluents
- new sanitation
- nutrients
- recovery
- energy recovery
- biobased economy
- life-cycle assessment
- waste-water treatment
- grey water
- black water
- human urine
- constructed wetlands
- anaerobic-digestion
- domestic sewage
- energy