Identification of Key Basic Parameters Involved in Carbon Emissions in Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants

Kuo Gao (), Hong Yang, Qingliang Zhao and Haichen Liu
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Kuo Gao: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200335, China
Hong Yang: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200335, China
Qingliang Zhao: School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
Haichen Liu: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200335, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: In this study, carbon emissions in three full-scale wastewater treatment plants were determined by the emission factor method. Moreover, the correlation between basic parameters (influent water parameters and pollutant removal efficiency) and carbon emissions was examined via a structural equation model (SEM). The results showed a significant variation in the total carbon emission intensity of plants over time. The average total carbon emission intensity of plants A, B and C were 0.314, 0.404 and 0.363 kg eqCO 2 /m³, respectively. Meanwhile, the indirect carbon emission caused by energy and chemical agent consumption accounts for the majority of total carbon emissions (about 85%). Generally, statistical analysis results show that carbon emission intensity is positively correlated with pollutant removal efficiency. Notably, RTN showed the highest positive correlation with E ind , followed by RTN > RCOD Cr > RTP > TN > RNH 3 -N > NH 3 -N > TP. Moreover, capacity showed the greatest negative contribution to E ind , followed by COD Cr . In contrast, the positive contribution to E dir was followed by the sequence of RTN > RCOD Cr > TN > RNH 3 -N > NH 3 -N. Notably, COD Cr showed a significantly negative correlation with E dir , while TP and its removal showed little correlation with E dir .

Keywords: carbon emission; structural equation model; anaerobic/anoxic/oxic oxidation ditch process (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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