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Project title

Energy Efficiency Improvement of Wastewater Treatment Processes Using Process Integration Techniques

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

Theodore Zhelev

Project Abstract

The objective of this study is to create methodology assisting the design or redesign of wastewater treatment plants of higher efficiency.The expected benefits will result in a.Methodology for analysis and evaluation of existing facilities; b.Targeting showing eventual scope for energy efficiency improvement; c.Bottlenecks identification; d.Design guidelines assisting the redesign/retrofit design for efficiency improvement and e.Support decision-making in case of alternative centralised/decentralised /combined wastewater treatment options. The methodology will utilise the Process Systems Integration approach proven in hundreds of process applications over the past 15 years. It will utilise the Pinch principles and will extend the integration concepts for the specific area of wastewater treatment. The target area will cover both aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities. The first one will seek benefits from electrical energy conservation minimising the aeration/oxidation energy demand when the second target area will benefit from maximum energy recovery/reuse synthesising the winning heat exchange network where a special account is made of long-term disturbances and dynamics (rapid seasonal changes) of the population in tourist areas (such as Killarney). In addition a decision-assisting procedure will advise strategy for centralised/decentralised wastewater treatment accounting for the dynamics of the changeable financial environment.

Grant Approved

�60,676.80

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

Protecting our Water Resources

Start Date

01/02/2006

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a