Effects of hydraulic retention time on net present value and performance in a membrane bioreactor treating antibiotic production wastewater

• The membrane bioreactor cost decreased by 38.2% by decreasing HRT from 72 h to 36 h. • Capital and operation costs contributed 62.1% and 37.9% to decreased costs. • The membrane bioreactor is 32.6% cheaper than the oxidation ditch for treatment. • The effluent COD also improved from 709.93±62.75 mg/L to 280±17.32 mg/L. • Further treatment also benefited from lower pretreatment investment. A cost sensitivity analysis was performed for an industrial membrane bioreactor to quantify the effects of hydraulic retention times and related operational parameters on cost. Different hydraulic retention times (72–24 h) were subjected to a flat-sheet membrane bioreactor updated from an existing 72 h oxidation ditch treating antibiotic production wastewater. Field experimental data from the membrane bioreactor, both full-scale (500 m³/d) and pilot (1.0 m³/d), were used to calculate the net present value (NPV), incorporating both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure. The results showed that the tank cost was estimated above membrane cost in the membrane bioreactor. The decreased hydraulic retention time from 72 to 36 h reduced the NPV by 38.2%, where capital expenditure contributed 24.2% more than operational expenditure. Tank construction cost was decisive in determining the net present value contributed 62.1% to the capital expenditure. The membrane bioreactor has the advantage of a longer lifespan flat-sheet membrane, while flux decline was tolerable. The antibiotics decreased to 1.87±0.33 mg/L in the MBR effluent. The upgrade to the membrane bioreactor also benefited further treatments by 10.1%–44.7% lower direct investment.     

利用污水资源生产微藻生物柴油的关键技术及潜力分析

21世纪人类面临着能源与水资源的双重危机与挑战。微藻制备生物柴油和微藻深度脱氮除磷分别是开发新能源和污水深度处理方面的热点研究,但二者的单一系统均存在一定的局限性。基于微藻培养的污水深度处理与生物柴油生产耦合系统可以克服上述单一系统的局限性,在深度处理污水的同时,以污水为资源制备微藻生物柴油。藻种筛选是耦合系统的前提与重点,其筛选原则为在二级出水条件下生长快、氮磷去除效率高和单位藻细胞油脂含量高。合适的藻细胞分离收获及油脂提取技术能够降低能耗;而油渣厌氧发酵可充分回收其中的能量,同时减少油渣对环境造成的不利影响。根据耦合系统的工艺特点,每年全国利用该耦合工艺以生活污水为原料生产微藻生物柴油的潜力约397万t。