Energy recovery in wastewater treatment plant

[m2e]

I've searched the forum regarding this topic, but the closest I could find is this thread633-211694, which is a closed thread. I'm hoping somebody could give me a hand here.

I'm working on a project where we would like to harvest the heat in the wastewater, and use the heat for a number of other purposes, such as providing heat for the building (heating and hot water use), the process. We would also like to use the heat for the cooling of the building.

I'd like to know what would be your approaches are to this project, and what type of equipment are you thinking of using.

Thank you.

 

[dpc]

Effluent from wastewater treatment is generally not all that warm. I've done a lot of wastewater treatment plant work and I don't know of any plants that do this. Some industrial processes may have enough heat in the effluent to make use of a heat exchanger possible. What temperature do you have?

 

[MJCronin]

m2e...

Lots of "slightly warm water" is not a good source of energy for power production.

Sources of "high quality" heat is the best bet for power generation. (This is why proposed solar power plants concentrate sunlight onto a central collector)

Power generation at wastewater plants is typically done via low-btu IC engines burning 200-500 btu/cf waste digester gasses. CAT Cummins and others have many WW installations across the USA using these engines.

-MJC

 

[danberry]

One could consider a heat pump on a warm stream to produce a hot stream for space or water heating and/or to run an ammonia chiller. It needs power but lowers the energy cost.

I suspect it wouldn't be cost effective.