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Title Sustainability metrics on microalgae-based wastewater treatment system
ID_Doc 9882
Authors dos Santos, AM; Deprá, MC; dos Santos, AM; Cichoski, AJ; Zepka, LQ; Jacob-Lopes, E
Title Sustainability metrics on microalgae-based wastewater treatment system
Year 2020
Published
DOI 10.5004/dwt.2020.25397
Abstract This paper presents a life cycle assessment of a simulated large-scale process of agroindustrial wastewater treatment through microalgal heterotrophic bioreactors. The study focuses on establishing sustainability metrics for recovering energy and nutrients from wastewater to produce bulk oil and lipid extracted algae (LEA) in an integrated process. The experimental data, obtained from a bench-scale facility, were used to estimate the life cycle impacts of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 16,000 m(3)/d, with a production of 4.32 ton/d of biomass, fractioned in 0.84 ton/d of bulk oil and 3.45 ton/d of LEA. The sustainability metrics of the integrated process indicate a net energy ratio of 0.41, reduction of 98% of the water footprint, global warming potential of 47 x 10(6) kgCO(2eq)/y, eutrophication potential of 5 x 10(4) kg eq PO4/y, acidification potential of 7 x 10(4) kg SO2-eq/y and ozone depletion potential of 3.33 kg CFC-11-eq/y. The assessment of the life cycle demonstrated that this technological route presents itself as a new sustainable approach for wastewater treatment plants and their implementation and dissemination can help to support a change towards resource recovery and a sustainable circular economy.
Author Keywords Microalgae/cyanobacteria; Nutrient cycling; Biodiesel; Animal feed; Process integration; Impact categories
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000545021200004
WoS Category Engineering, Chemical; Water Resources
Research Area Engineering; Water Resources
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