Minimising Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Design of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Treating Industrial and Domestic Wastewater for Industrial Reuse

Gippsland Water Factory
Gippsland, Victoria (Australia)

The Gippsland Water Factory (GWF) will be one of Australia’s most innovative wastewater treatment and recycling systems. With the advent of a carbon constrained economy, infrastructure projects will be required to demonstrate reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) compared to existing practice. Placing a GHGe constraint on the GWF project drove innovation: in the conceptual stages of design; in research conducted through the pilot plant facility; in determining operational electricity and chemical input requirements; in sourcing electricity inputs; and in carbon accounting techniques. An unambiguous target to reduce GHGe by 20% off a theoretical benchmark of 52,102 tonnes CO2-e/year was set, to ensure that the project was well placed for the introduction of an emissions trading scheme in Australia. A 13,681 tCO2-e per year (29% reduction) from the original concept design (June 2006) to final design (June 2009) was achieved. The GHG assessment included scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions which was important for minimising both onsite and offsite emissions with particular emphasis on reducing chemical consumption. The most significant process design features and characteristics that minimised GHGe were: anaerobic reactors for treatment of the industrial pulp and paper wastewater; methane recovery; membrane bioreactors; cogeneration and micro-hydro energy generation; and biological odour and H2S treatment systems.        Source: WEFTEC 2009 Proceedings

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Posted: July 6th, 2010 | Filed under: <50K, Waste Water Treatment, Water Treatment | Tags: Environmental Impact (Reduced Carbon Footprint), Innovative Technology, Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions | No Comments »

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