A Self-Sustaining Solar-Bio-Nano-Based Wastewater Treatment System for Forward Operating Bases
ER-2215
Objective
Wastewater treatment is a critical but expensive component for forward operating bases (FOBs). It has been estimated that around 35 gallons of water per soldier per day, including drinking water and nonpotable water, are consumed, and the same amount of wastewater is generated. The wastewater management strategies vary according to FOB size, general operational standards, contractor services, and location. The methods currently used include burn-out latrines, chemical latrines, sewerage lagoons, septic systems, and leach fields.
The objective of this project is to integrate solar, biological, and nano technologies to create a novel, small-scale wastewater treatment system that can significantly reduce the mass of the wastewater and simultaneously generate potable water for FOBs. The proposed system includes six subunits of foldable, concentrated solar heat collection, thermophilic anaerobic digestion, biogas storage, a combined heat and power unit, aerobic clarification, and nanofiltration. Correspondingly, six specific objectives will be fulfilled in this project: (1) design a novel solar concentrator and engine system and test the engine's performance on solar and methane heat; (2) optimize thermophilic anaerobic digestion on a mixed feedstock of blackwater and food wastes; (3) improve the efficiency of aerobic clarification to reclaim the water; (4) investigate nanofiltration on potable water generation; (5) establish a small pilot-scale system and evaluate performance of the integrated system; and (6) conduct a detailed technical and economic analysis of the system and devise strategies toward market transition.
Technical Approach
Individual units in the integrated system will first be investigated at bench scale to obtain the optimal values for the system design and integration. A novel solar thermal concentrator will be designed to improve the portability of the solar power system. A modified Stirling engine will be developed to enable the generation of electricity and heat on dual energy sources of solar and methane gas. Highly efficient thermophilic anaerobic digestion using heat from the engine will be implemented to reduce the footprint of the digester, enhance solid reduction, eliminate pathogens, and improve biogas production. Meanwhile, methane gas from an anaerobic digester with a high heating value will be investigated as biochemical storage of solar energy to compensate for unsteady solar heat and generate more energy. The electricity will be used to power agitators, pumps, and the control panel in the integrated system to satisfy operational requirements. A high-rate aerobic process will be optimized to remove residual organic and inorganic compounds in the liquid effluent from thermophilic anaerobic digestion and to prepare reclaimed water for the next step of filtration. A novel antifouling nanofiltration unit will be designed to convert the reclaimed water into potable water. A small pilot-scale system will then be fabricated based on the research outcomes of the individual units. The system's performance will be evaluated, and the feasibility of a scalable, self-sustaining wastewater system will be investigated. In addition, corresponding life-cycle analysis will be conducted to evaluate potential impacts of the integrated system on the environment.
Benefits
If successful, this project will significantly reduce transportation demand for water and fuels and resolve waste handling issues at FOBs. It is likely that FOBs will adopt the self-sustaining system not only as a wastewater management tool but also as a process of on-site energy generation. The enhanced power generation and reduced wastes will improve the sustainability of FOBs. In addition, the integrated solar-bio-nano concept of wastewater treatment has potential applications for a wide range of waste treatment systems from agricultural wastewater to municipal wastewater treatment. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Wei Liao
Michigan State University
Phone: 517-432-7205
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.