Project #4866

Life Cycle Assessment of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Using Ceramic Discs

$0
Completed
Principal Investigator
Steven
Skerlos
Research Manager
Mr. Ashwin Dhanasekar
Contractor
University of Michigan
Treatment

Abstract

This project analyzes the environmental characteristics CD-AnMBR (Ceramic Disk AnMBR) which uses ceramic discs for the treatment of municipal wastewater. The key research question was whether the ceramic disc approach could reduce life cycle energy and emissions. The issue of reducing gas sparging due to flux limitations inspired investigation this strategy to minimize energy demands of fouling control and to achieve higher fluxes in the treatment of domestic wastewater. The researchers compare CD-AnMBR to the conventional hollow-fiber system investigated in Smith et al. (2014) as HF-AnMBR (Hollow Fiber AnMBR). This study builds on the modeling approach of Smith et al. (2014) to develop environmental LCA and life cycle costing models for CD-AnMBRs to provide a holistic perspective of opportunities and challenges of the AnMBR approach using ceramic disc membranes. Published in 2020.

Originally funded as WERF project TIRR5C15.

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