Electrical Energy Management in Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant

In this study, the energy consumption of Nasirabad Industrial Park (NIP) treatment plant was evaluated. A combination of up-flow anaerobic baffled reactor (UABR) and aerobic integrated fixed-bed activated sludge (IFAS) processes were employed in NIP. To find out the average electrical energy use per m3 influent wastewater, the rate of energy usage of the plant was calculated by data derived from the monthly utility bills in 2013 and 2014. The energy consumption was estimated to be 10.4 and 10.7 kWh.day-1.m-3 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the electrical energy consumption of different electromechanical equipment of the plant was separately assessed. The average daily electrical energy consumed by treatment processes (effective energy) in both 2013 and 2014 was estimated at 7.2 kWh.day-1.m-3, while the average energy consumption by other parts of the treatment plant (ineffective energy) was 3.2 and 3.5 kWh.day-1.m-3 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The rate of electrical energy usage per kg COD removal was found to be 4.9 and 5.1 kWh.day-1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Finally, it was inferred that energy use in NIP was not being managed in a suitable manor. Given the significance of energy, price risings, and the decline of resources by which energy is generated, it is imperative to take effective managerial actions to reduce electrical energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants. Also, the designers of water and wastewater treatment plants should consider less energy-intensive processes to improve their energy efficiency.