Applying Life Cycle Tools and Process Engineering to Determine the Most Adequate Treatment Process Conditions. A Tool in Environmental Policy (12 pp) |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Omar?Romero-HernandezEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Omar Romero-Hernandez Department of Industrial Engineering Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) Rio Hondo No. 1 Mexico City, 01000 MEXICO, |
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Abstract: | Background The analysis of a wastewater treatment technology, under a expanded boundaries system which includes both the technology
and the inputs required for its operation, quantifies the overall environmental impact that may result from the treatment
of a wastewater stream. This is particularly useful for environmental policy makers being that a expanded boundaries system
tends to provide a holistic view. The former view can be highly enriched with the use of process engineering tools, such as
mathematical process modelling, process design, performance assessment and cost optimised models.
Main Features The traditional approach used to assess waste treatment technologies is contrasted with a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach.
The optimal design of a granular activated carbon adsorption (GAC) process is used as a model system to demonstrate the advantages
of LCA approaches over traditional approaches. Further sections of the paper describe a mathematical framework for the assessment
of technologies, design considerations applied in the cost optimised carbon adsorption model, the use of LCA techniques to
perform an inventory of all emissions associated to the process system and, some of its environmental impacts.
Results Economic and environmental considerations regarding the optimum process design are introduced as a basis for decision towards
the selection and operating conditions of wastewater treatment technologies. Moreover, the use of LCA has revealed that the
environmental burden associated with the wastewater treatment may produce a higher environmental impact than one that can
be caused by untreated discharges.
Conclusion The paper highlights the string advantages that environmental policy makers may have by combining LCA and process engineering
tools. Furthermore, this approach can be incorporated into other existing treatment processes or for process designers. |
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Keywords: | volatile organic compounds (VOCs) wastewater treatment granulate activated carbon (GAC) adsorption process engineering and design |
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