What Are the By-Products of Wastewater Treatment?

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Introduction

Wastewater treatment facilities have transitioned from basic pollution control operations to advanced resource recovery centers, producing more than one useful by-product. Although the goal is still to protect public health and the environment, today, treatment processes are designed to purposefully capture and recover materials that would otherwise be regarded as waste. Such by-products have a notable value and enhance sustainable operations by recycling nutrients and recovering energy, thereby aligning with the circular economy vision for water.

Treated Water for Reuse

The most important by-product of sewage treatment is the treated water, which can be reused for different purposes. Some examples of non-potable reuse applications are agricultural irrigation, landscape watering, industrial cooling and toilet flushing. Indirect potable reuse is the addition of additional treatment and environmental buffer systems prior to returning to drinking water supplies. Direct potable reuse uses water treatment processes to create drinking water that is indistinguishable from what humans would normally find in the environment without an environmental buffer. Industrial reuse supports process water for manufacturing, power generation, and other commercial applications and lessens demand for freshwater.

Biosolids and Soil Amendments

During treatment, the solid materials that are stripped away are converted into biosolids, a product rich in organic nutrients. Class As are highly treated to kill pathogens and can be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner in landscaping and agricultural applications. Class B biosolids are treated to reduce pathogen levels and can be used in agriculture in a controlled way. Biosolids that have been composted are mixed with other organic materials to produce a stable, humus-like product that will improve the soil. These dried and pelletized forms provide many desirable handling and application properties for use in agriculture and horticulture.

Biogas and Energy Production

Biogas is an energy-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion processes. Biogas can also be used in engines or turbines to produce electricity onsite or for grid export. Biogas is used directly in thermal applications for heating buildings, keeping digester temperatures, or providing process heat. Biogas can be improved, cleaned and converted to renewable natural gas quality and just put into gas pipelines or vehicle fuels. Brief Description of Combined Heat and Power Systems Combined heat and power systems make greater use of energy recovery by using both electricity generation as well as thermal energy from combustion of biogas.

Nutrient Recovery Products

Advanced treatment processes to reclaim nutrients of interest in waste streams. Struvite precipitation Sorbs phosphorus as magnesium ammonium phosphate, which is a slow-release fertilizer that can be used in agriculture. Ammonia recovery systems concentrate nitrogen species into ammonium sulfate or other nitrogen fertilizers. The last one is algal biomass production which is the use of nutrients to produce algae that can be harvested to be used for biofuel, animal feed or fertilizer. Among other nutrients — potassium and microminerals — received back, returned mixed with agricultural products.

Other Recoverable Materials

Special processes to better recover other materials can be implemented..The cellulose fibers that are harvested in screening systems can be made into biodegradable plastics, building materials or bio-composites. The grit and mineral materials separated during the first treatment steps might be suitable for construction fill or other industrial uses. Metals recovery systems recover high-value metals including copper, zinc and noble or precious metals — usually found in industrial waste streams. Salts and minerals in advanced treatment concentrate streams are commodities that may be processed for industrial purposes.

Thermal Energy and Heat Recovery

Rich in the thermal energy of both flow and recycling, this is an accessible source of energy to tap into. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)Heat pump systems use wastewater as a resource of thermal energy, taking advantage of this relatively abundant and year-round source to provide space heating in buildings and facilities. Direct heat exchange is all about transferring energy between streams of fluid, here is our heating application — between the wastewater and other fluids. Electricity generation with temperature gradients between wastewater and ambient conditions can generate power through thermodynamic cycles. Much of the captured heat can be accumulated in seasonal thermal storage for use in colder times.

Carbon Dioxide and Algal Applications

During the treatment, the carbon dioxide is produced and is possible to capture and use. CO2 from biogas or process off-gases is injected into algal cultivation systems to improve algal growth over that using air alone for biofuel production. A carbonation process stabilizes CO 2 in the form of mineral carbonates that can be used as construction material or for soil amendment. CO2 based feedstock for industrial processes and manufacturing applications Biological Processes with Controlled CO2 Addition for pH Optimization

Environmental Benefits and Sustainability

The recovery and use of these by-products of treatment provide an impressive environmental benefit. Thereby recycling of resource minimizes input of virgin material and landfilling impacts. It enables the recovery of energy that decreases our reliance on fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gases emitted into our atmosphere. The recycling of nutrients helps to close the circle of care for the environment and limit the impact of fertilizer production on the environment. Water reuse is a tool to preserve freshwater resources and improve water supply reliability. You help to facilitate circular economy goals when you turn those waste streams into resources through sustainable materials management.

Conclusion

Wastewater treatment creates three classes of valuable by-products which present large economic and environmental opportunities. These products turn treatment facilities from waste processors into resource recovery centers — everything from resourceful reuse of water and biosolids rich in nutrients; to renewable energy and recovered materials. With the increasing advancement in technology and sustainability priorities, the recovery and beneficial use of treatment by-products will be further expanded as an integral component of more circular and sustainable water management.

If you want to get maximum resources from wastewater treatment process, consult the experts at Amalgam Biotech now.

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