Energy return on investment for algal biofuel production coupled with wastewater treatment

This study presents a second-order energy return on investment analysis to evaluate the mutual benefits of combining an advanced wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (with biological nutrient removal) with algal biofuel production. With conventional, independently operated systems, algae production req...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation. - 1998. - 84(2012), 9 vom: 01. Sept., Seite 692-710
1. Verfasser: Beal, Colin M (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Stillwell, Ashlynn S, King, Carey W, Cohen, Stuart M, Berberoglu, Halil, Bhattarai, Rajendra P, Connelly, Rhykka L, Webber, Michael E, Hebner, Robert E
Format: Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2012
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Biofuels Carbon Dioxide 142M471B3J
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This study presents a second-order energy return on investment analysis to evaluate the mutual benefits of combining an advanced wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (with biological nutrient removal) with algal biofuel production. With conventional, independently operated systems, algae production requires significant material inputs, which require energy directly and indirectly, and the WWTP requires significant energy inputs for treatment of the waste streams. The second-order energy return on investment values for independent operation of the WWTP and the algal biofuels production facility were determined to be 0.37 and 0.42, respectively. By combining the two, energy inputs can be reduced significantly. Consequently, the integrated system can outperform the isolated system, yielding a second-order energy return on investment of 1.44. Combining these systems transforms two energy sinks to a collective (second-order) energy source. However, these results do not include capital, labor, and other required expenses, suggesting that profitable deployment will be challenging
Beschreibung:Date Completed 25.10.2012
Date Revised 23.09.2019
published: Print
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1554-7531