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Project Spotlight
June 2018
POWER system for wastewater treatment and resource recovery
A ReNUWIt research team has demonstrated a 700-L pilot scale version of the POWER (Photosynthetically Oxygenated Waste-to-Energy Recovery) system at the Las Cruces Wastewater Treatment Plant in Las Cruces, NM. Fed-batch operations of this algae-based pilot scale system achieved discharge standards for BOD, N, and P in a single step within 3 days. Comparison of the bacterial water quality of the algal effluent with the secondary effluent, confirmed superior performance of the POWER system.
A ReNUWIT research team has developed a software toolkit, IRIPT (Integrated Urban Reclaimed Water Infrastructure Planning Toolkit), that facilitates planning and design of reclaimed water infrastructure for both centralized and hybrid configurations that incorporate satellite treatment plants (STPs). The toolkit gives decision-makers the ability to analyze many configurations across a wide range of scales, facilitating more transparent decision-making, engaging stakeholders, and increasing chances of socially acceptable and equitable solutions that satisfy many needs simultaneously.
Strormwater quality management approaches are typically focused on improving water quality before or within a storm drain system. Researchers are developing BEST (biohydrochemical enhancements for streamwater treatment) to provide an in-stream treatment option.
While the accepted industry standard potable reuse treatment train reliably produces high-quality water, there are a number of factors, such as energy use and concentrate management, that have constrained widespread implementation of these systems. ReNUWIt researchers are evaluating alternative potable reuse treatment trains with the goal of addressing some of these factors.
February 2018 - Location specific LCA tools for optimal decentralized infrastructure
The tradeoffs between system size and technology performance are an important consideration for utilities evaluating decentralized infrastructure. ReNUWIt’s life-cycle assessment (LCA) tool with location specific techno-economic and environmental models can assist decision makers when planning for implementation of decentralized water reuse and nitrogen recovery.
Long approached from a flood control and pollution management perspective, urban stormwater runoff is now also seen as a potential water supply source for recharging groundwater aquifers. New geomedia-based stormwater treatment systems being pilot tested by ReNUWIt researchers in Los Angeles, California have the potential to provide a reliable and cost-effective treatment solution that could turn this vision into a reality.
December 2017 - Coupled Hybrid Anaerobic Process for Generation of Energy
Achieving energy positive wastewater treatment is hindered by a heavy reliance on energy intensive aerobic processes. The Coupled Hybrid Anaerobic Process for Generation of Energy (CHARGE) eliminates the energy requirement for organic matter oxidation, reduces the amount of waste biomass production to 1% of the influent organic carbon while concurrently generating methane.
November 2017 - New methods for optimal potable reuse planning
Infrastructure costs are a key barrier to new recycled water projects. ReNUWIt’s new methods minimize these costs through design optimization to deliver recycled water to underutilized stormwater spreading basins.