1 LCA Overview in an European Framework Applications, Challenges & Barriers Alternative Water Sources Pedro P. Nieto +34 983 546504 +34 983 546504 +34.

1LCA Overview in an European Framework

Applications, Challenges & Barriers

Alternative Water SourcesAlternative Water Sources

Pedro P. Nieto +34 983 546504+34 983 546504 +34 983 546521+34 983 546521 [email protected]@cartif.es

CARTIF CARTIF FOUNDATIONFOUNDATIONBoecillo Technology ParkBoecillo Technology ParkBoecillo (VALLADOLID) – ESPAÑABoecillo (VALLADOLID) – ESPAÑAwww.cartif.eswww.cartif.es

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WATER SCARCITY PROBLEM

Traditional water sources are limited Growing population and demand Decreasing quantity and quality of fresh

water (overexploitation) 1/3 population suffer drought and water

shortage – Stress and competition for water resources

Unbalanced – Unsustainable

AQUAREC/Hochstrat et al, 2006

How to balance this? Demand management: Water saving –Increasing

efficiency –Water pricing –Information campaigns –Water restrictions –Reducing leakage

Supply management: Increasing storage (reservoirs, groundwater recharge) ––Water transfers- Alternative water sources

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AVAILABLE WATER SOURCES

Traditional Water Sources Lakes Rivers Groundwater

Sea water 96,5%

Brackish water 1,0%

Fresh water 0,8%

Ice caps 1,7%

SourcesIndustrial purposes

11%

Public water supply 21%

Agriculture 24%

Energy 44%

EEA, 2009

Gleick, 1999

Water UsesDrinkingIrrigationIndustrialEnergy prod.Domestic

Alternative Water Sources Saline Water (Seawater and Brackish Water) Rainwater / Stormwater Reused Water (Wastewater Effluent and Greywater Other (Air-conditioner condensate, filter reject water,

cooling-tower blowdown…)

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Seawater and Brackish Water I

Seawater 96.5% world water Salinity (> 30 g/L) Pollutants

Salts Colloidal Hydrocarbons and oil Biological (algae, microorg.) Boron

Availability is site specific

Brackish water Water from estuaries, groundwater fossil

aquifers, contact between seawater and fresh water. Human activities

Less salty than seawater (0.5 – 30 g/L) Pollutants (Natural and anthrop)

Salts, F-, Radionuclides Nutrients (fertilizers) Pesticides Arsenic (Mining) Endocrine disruptors (Pharmaceutical)

Availability is site specific

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MembranesRapid development. Surpassing thermal processesSeveral membranes technologies for different water quality and uses

RO: Drinking water production. Ion1. Higher PressureNF: Not drinking uses. - Mildly brackish waters. Coupled with RO reduce operation costs. Ion2 dissolved OMED (Electrodialysis) Brackish waters

Need to treat concentrate before disposal. Sea disposal, treatment. ZLD (zero liquid discharge) RO+Therm evap+Cryst+ brine concentration+spray dryers. Unaffordable

Seawater and Brackish Water II Appropriate technology it could be a safe and high quality source of water for several uses, including

drinking and potable uses Desalination: Remove salt from saline waters to produce fresh water. Limits in water standards

include: TDS, Cl-, Na, B

Thermal processes – DistillationFirst technologies developed for desalinationConfiguration

Multi-Effect Distillation (MED)Multi-Stage Flash Distillation (MSF)Vapor Compression Distillation (VCD)

Mainly used in Middle East countries. Economically unfeasible. Not sustainable.

Easy access to fossil fuel resourcesPoor quality of water sources (High T, salinity, fouling potential)

Thermal processesMembranes

Coagulation/FlocculationFiltrationDisinfectionMembranes

Pre-treatment Post-treatment

Blending WaterAlk, pH, HardnessDisinfectants

Treatment

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Rainwater / Stormwater

Water collected from natural precipitation (rain, storms, snowmelt…)

Pollutants. Wide number and range. Dependant on collection systems and air quality. (roofs, runoff from parking lots, roads, recreational areas…)

Eriksson et al. 2007 list of priority pollutants. Main pollutants and other micropollutants which represent a risk even at very low concentrations.

Organic matter. Nutrients Metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu) PAHs (pyrene, benzopyrene..) Other xenobiotics

In spite of these contaminants rainwater is usually of better quality than untreated sewage and has better public acceptance.

Availability. Seasonal and influenced by climate changes (flooding and shortage periods)

Mainly for non potable water use Irrigation. Garden watering. Domestic uses (toilet flushing, car

washing) Fire fighting

Direct use or treatment when stored

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Reused Water - Greywater I

Reused water. WWTP effluent Treated water from WWTP.

Anthropogenic source Reported advantages of its Use

Decrease discharge of WW into water bodies

Reduce demand of fresh water Pollutants

Pathogens Disinfection by-products Nutrients. Nitrogen

Negative public response to use this source (yuck factor)

Availability. Increases as population and economic growth. Constant supply.

Greywater Urban WW from all domestic uses (baths,

showers, washing machine, dishwasher…) but streams from toilets (kitchen WW)

Low level of contaminant pathogens Biodegradable (ratio BOD/COD) Deficient in nutrients (N and P)

Depends on kitchen WW and detergents used (P-free)

Neutral pH Availability. Source-Use. Estimation 90-120

l/p/d

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Reused Water – Greywater II Typical treatment flow-diagram

Pre-treatment. Screening/ Filters. Remove Particles Oil and Fats Post-treatment (Disinfection) Treatment (Guidelines F.Li et al. 2009)

Physical• Sand filters

• Soil filtration

• Membrane filtration (UF)

Only effective at very low organic load. Generally do not reach Water quality standards.

Chemical• Coagulation

• Activated Carbon

• Ion exchange

• AOPs (photocatalytic oxidation)

Removes efficiently SS, OM surfactants in low strength WW

Biological• Anaerobic (not suitable)

• RBC (Rot Biol. Contact.)

• SBR

• MBR

• Constructed Wetland (Environ friendly and cost effective)

EqualizationStorage

SedimentationScreening

Chemical Treatment

BiologicalTreatment

Disinfectation ReuseFiltration

(Mb, sand)

Low

High

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Conclusions

Conventional approach water demand and supply is unsustainable Increasing water efficiency (processes and supply systems) Adapting water treatment and use to quality required (stop potable water supply for non

potable uses) Upgrading and developing alternative sources

In most cases water availability is not the problem. Water quality. Stricter quality standards Develop technologies: technical and economical feasibility

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