| Title |
Transforming wastewater treatment plants in sustainable units coupled with local economies: Microalgae as resource recovery agents |
| ID_Doc |
21680 |
| Authors |
Braga, MQ; Magalhaes, IB; Silveira, CF; Couto, E; Calijuri, ML; Assemany, P |
| Title |
Transforming wastewater treatment plants in sustainable units coupled with local economies: Microalgae as resource recovery agents |
| Year |
2022 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134551 |
| Abstract |
Besides reducing the sewage organic and nutrient load, microalgae-based wastewater treatments promote the recovery of important natural resources, such as N and P, which can be used for biofuels and animal feed pro-duction. In this context, the present study proposes a treatment system based on a circular economy and resource recovery of waste streams: an up-flow anaerobic reactor (UASB, widely used in developing countries such as Brazil) followed by high-rate algae ponds (HRAPs). Geographic Information Systems tools were used to select suitable areas for allocating the proposed system in Minas Gerais (Brazil). Two regions showed excellent suit-ability for allocating the UASB + HRAP system, with more than 70% coverage each. These areas cover 59 municipalities, with a production capacity of 43,565 m3/day of raw sewage, a volume that, after treatment, can be used for crop irrigation and fish farming. In addition, municipalities can produce 6621.9 kg/day of microalgae biomass. This biomass can generate 13.96 MWh/day of electrical energy, 1316.7 kg/day of nutrients for animal feed, 3.97 kg of beta-carotene, 2576.3 kg of biodiesel, 132.4 kg of Omega-3, 198.7 kg of glycerol or 1125.72 kg of ethanol. Productivities were calculated from three by-product valorization routes of the suggested system: en-ergy, agriculture, and high-value products. The proposed system improves current wastewater treatment stan-dards in the selected regions, with the potential to generate valuable resources compatible with attractive economic activities from these areas. |
| Author Keywords |
Microalgae biomass; Sustainable biorefinery; Circular economy; Recovery routes; Valorization of sanitation resources |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000874806500003 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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