See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289497504 LCA of advanced wastewater treatment to remove micropollutants CONFERENCE PAPER · AUGUST 2015 5 AUTHORS, INCLUDING: Fredy Dinkel Carbotech AG 27 PUBLICATIONS 61 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Thomas Kägi Carbotech AG 30 PUBLICATIONS 79 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Available from: Fredy Dinkel Retrieved on: 07 January 2016
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LCA of advanced wastewater treatment to remove micropollutants · LCA of advanced wastewater treatment to remove micropollutants LCM conference in Bordeaux, 2015 Fredy Dinkel, FHNW
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What is the best strategy from a cost benefit point of view to eliminate pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants in the basin of the river Ruhr in North Rhine-Westphalia?
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Our task
• Evaluating the burdens and benefits of the expansion of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to eliminate micropollutants by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
• Calculating the eco-efficiency for the different options.
The following three technologies were evaluated:1) chemical oxidation with ozone followed by sand filtration (Ozone)2) 2) activated carbon adsorption followed by sand filtration (PAC),
and 3) 3) nano filtration (NF).
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EDIP – evaluating of the characterization factorsM
etho
de
Generally the characterization factors from EDIP were used. Because of the high uncertainty the factors without long term effects were used. In this project the following impacts were regarded:• Chronical eco toxicity in water and soil (ET)• Human toxicity (HT)• Photo chemical oxidation (POCP)• Eutrophication (EP)• Acidification (AP)• Global warming (GWP)The characterization factors for the micropollutants was calculated according to the following formula:
CF Characterization factorf Distribution factor: 1 means 100% into the riverBIO Degradability: 1 means no degradationPNEC Predicted No Effect Concentration
These factors varies from 0.23 m3/g for EDTA to 10‘000 m3/g for Diclofenac
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Degradation performance
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Environmental impact reduction by eliminating these six substances
Although ozone and PAC do not allow reaching all target values, the differences between the treatment methods relative to the environmental benefits measured with EDIP are rather small. Taking the uncertainties into account, the results are comparable.
Res
ulta
te
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Overall environmental impacts per m3 of wastewater
Only the ozonation leads to overall higher benefits than burdens.
By using Nano filtration, the used electricity mix is crucial
Overall environmental impacts per m3 of wastewater, per impact category
The nanofiltration using the electricity mix of Germany shows a often seen dilemma:Locally the eco toxicity in water is reduced. However ecotoxic emissions are generated in other locations.
Take note: The reduction considers only the six selected substances. However many other pollutants will also by reduced by the treatment.
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Looking at more micropollutants
The calculated benefits depend on the considered substances.In order to better evaluate the benefits, the characterization factors for about 50 substances were developed (extended list).When no data concerning the degradation rates were available, expert statements were used.
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For the WWTP upgrade in the region, different scenarios were evaluatedBased on the modelling calculations of FIW the following scenarios were evaluated:
• Upgrade according to the size classes: Class I is small – class V is large• All classes: I – V• Only the large: IV – V• Only the largest: V
• Upgrading with the following technologies:• Ozone• Active Carbon (PAC)• Additional filtration with sand
• Elimination of the following substances:• Carbamazepin• Diclofenac
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Benefit with elimination of the two substances without burdens of the treatment.
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Methodological• Check whether the chosen method is using characterization factors for the
relevant impacts.• The adapted method can be used for evaluating the benefits and the burdens
of wastewater treatments.• Single score methods can be necessary for decision support.
Project goals• The goals could be reached and a sound decision base for investment as well
as for improvement could be given.• The overall LCA view can give different results than the local view considering
target values.
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Thank you for the attentionand thanks to all who participated in this project
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From FHNW – University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland Institute for Ecopreneurship• Mateo Dazio• Rita Hochstrat• Thomas Wintgens
From Carbotech:• Thomas Kägi• Fredy Dinkel
To all the other project partners and
The Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKULNV) is gratefully acknowledged for co-funding this work