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Computational tool for managing energy recovery and carbon footprint in sewage treatment plants based on anaerobic reactors

ABSTRACT

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) with anaerobic processes are consolidated in Latin America. Their several favorable characteristics make them an attractive option for regions with a hot climate, but there are still restrictions, such as those related to diffuse gaseous emissions. In this context, the present work aimed at developing the computational tool Energy and Carbon Balance in Anaerobic STPs (BECarbon0), based on the compilation, in a spreadsheet, of equations and coefficients from the specialized literature, which allows comparing different scenarios and technological alternatives for the management of gaseous emissions in STPs based on upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB). This should enable designers and decision makers to assess aspects of energy recovery and carbon footprint management. Finally, a fictitious case study is presented with three scenarios whose results point to the possibility of reducing the total carbon footprint of the STP by 82% compared to the configuration normally adopted in Brazil.

Keywords:
UASB; biogas; sludge

Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental - ABES Av. Beira Mar, 216 - 13º Andar - Castelo, 20021-060 Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: esa@abes-dn.org.br