Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis of Membrane Bioreactor Systems: Influence of Scale, Population Density, Climate, and Methane Recovery
Citation:
Cashman, S., Cissy Ma, J. Moslet, B. Crone, X. Xue, J. Garland, AND B. Morelli. Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis of Membrane Bioreactor Systems: Influence of Scale, Population Density, Climate, and Methane Recovery. Presented at 2018 Water Research Foundation Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, May 06 - 08, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
To provide guidance for communities around the country considering shifting towards decentralized treatment systems utilizing the focus technologies.
Description:
Within the context of an urban case study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost analysis were constructed to understand impacts associated with scenarios for mixed wastewater and greywater recycling. The technology of focus was an aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) of varying scales treating either greywater or mixed wastewater from a large office building, large residential building, or residential district. Within the LCA system boundaries, the recycled water is assumed to displace potable water from a centralized drinking water treatment plant. Comparative alternative treatment technologies investigated at the large residential building scale include psychrophilic anaerobic MBR, aerobic MBR with thermal recovery, and vertical flow wetlands. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted to understand the environmental and cost implications of options for disinfection. The LCA was constructed using existing data from literature and wastewater process simulation software. Results focus on life cycle stage contributions to impacts such as total energy demand, global climate change potential, water savings, and life cycle costs. The study findings will provide guidance for communities around the country considering shifting towards decentralized treatment systems utilizing the focus technologies.