Abstract:
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The proposal in this work is to investigate a conceptual layout for a hydroponic system
powered by photovoltaics panels (PV) that would remove nitrogen and phosphorus from
wastewaters. The idea is to assess the energy consumption of this layout and to compare it with
the energy consumed by a conventional municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
The removed nitrogen by the plants based on the nitrification/denitrification activity of
root associated bacteria means high nitrogen removal efficiency and low operation cost. The
hydroponics system (HS) is a potential technology in order to remove nutrients from
wastewaters. Plants absorb nutrients from the water and the system allows automatically
regulation their excess.
The project proposal involves the construction of a green wall in order to treat the
wastewater in HS while the energy for recirculating water will come from pumps that will be
charged by PV. This prototype is still building, and in this thesis is estimated the energy for
recirculating water by a water pump and airlift in a Dual System. It is also suggest a
development of a Hybrid Pump for Hydroponic System in futures works. This two innovations,
Dual System and Hybrid Pump for HS, are potentially patentable.
With this thesis we would like to analyze and present a new approach to conceive
wastewater treatment (WWT) in which the energy consumption is an important issue. Just in
Spain the electricity demand for wastewater treatment for domestic and industrial water cycles
account 2 - 3% of total electric energy consumption of the country. Indeed, treatment plants
use more and more energy in order to achieve the legal frameworks for wastewater discharge.
The high amount of energy consumption in WWTP is delivered for the treatment of
nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, these nutrients are essentials to the development for
certain plants and microorganisms.
The emphasize is on the energy consumption, dimension and operation of water pump , air
pump and photovoltaic panels in a Solar Off-Grid System.
In operational terms, the development of this project intent to have a result in a work on
designing the PVs, quantifying the amount of energy required to treat N/P in HS by UNESCO
Chair of Sustainability Project. Also, to introduce the Dual System and develop a Hybrid Pump
for Hydroponic System approach. The goal is to compare the results with the equivalent treated
in a WWTP conventional and apply this system in Codorniu Wine industry located in
Barcelona, Spain |