Feasibility Study for Self-Sustained Wastewater Treatment Plants—Using Biogas CHP Fuel Cell, Micro-Turbine, PV and Wind Turbine Systems
Affiliation(s)
Department of Electrical Engineering and Control, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt. Department of Electrical Engineering and Control, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt..
Department of Electrical Engineering and Control, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt. Department of Electrical Engineering and Control, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Egypt..
ABSTRACT
This paper studies the application of renewable energy sources in wastewater treatment plants to achieve self-sustain- ability of power. The data of wastewater treatment plant in the rural city of Toukh-EGYPT are presented as a case-study. The primary objective is to provide an entirely renewable standalone power system, which satisfies lowest possible emissions with the minimum lifecycle cost. Mass balance principle is applied on the biodegradable components in the wastewater to evaluate the volume of digester gas that is produced from sludge through anaerobic digestion process. Using digester gas as a fuel lead to study combined-heat-and-power technologies, where fuel cell is selected in order to abide by the low emissions constraint. The study assessed the electrical power obtained from fuel cell and the utilization of the exhausted heat energy for additional electrical power production using a micro-turbine. After covering the major part of load demand, the use of other renewable energy sources was studied. The strength of both solar and wind energy was determined by the case-study location. Hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software was used to simulate the hybrid system composed of combined-heat-and-power units, wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. Simulation results gave the best system configuration and optimum size of each component beside the detailed electrical and cost analysis of the model.
This paper studies the application of renewable energy sources in wastewater treatment plants to achieve self-sustain- ability of power. The data of wastewater treatment plant in the rural city of Toukh-EGYPT are presented as a case-study. The primary objective is to provide an entirely renewable standalone power system, which satisfies lowest possible emissions with the minimum lifecycle cost. Mass balance principle is applied on the biodegradable components in the wastewater to evaluate the volume of digester gas that is produced from sludge through anaerobic digestion process. Using digester gas as a fuel lead to study combined-heat-and-power technologies, where fuel cell is selected in order to abide by the low emissions constraint. The study assessed the electrical power obtained from fuel cell and the utilization of the exhausted heat energy for additional electrical power production using a micro-turbine. After covering the major part of load demand, the use of other renewable energy sources was studied. The strength of both solar and wind energy was determined by the case-study location. Hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software was used to simulate the hybrid system composed of combined-heat-and-power units, wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. Simulation results gave the best system configuration and optimum size of each component beside the detailed electrical and cost analysis of the model.
Cite this paper
A. Helal, W. Ghoneim and A. Halaby, "Feasibility Study for Self-Sustained Wastewater Treatment Plants—Using Biogas CHP Fuel Cell, Micro-Turbine, PV and Wind Turbine Systems," Smart Grid and Renewable Energy, Vol. 4 No. 2, 2013, pp. 227-235. doi: 10.4236/sgre.2013.42028.
A. Helal, W. Ghoneim and A. Halaby, "Feasibility Study for Self-Sustained Wastewater Treatment Plants—Using Biogas CHP Fuel Cell, Micro-Turbine, PV and Wind Turbine Systems," Smart Grid and Renewable Energy, Vol. 4 No. 2, 2013, pp. 227-235. doi: 10.4236/sgre.2013.42028.
References
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Dockhorn and N. Dichtl, “Economic and Environmental Assessment of Sewage Sludge Treatment Processes Application in Egypt,” International Water Technology Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2011. [32] F. Jurado, “Study of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell—Microturbinehybrid Power Cycles,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 111, No. 1, 2002, pp. 121-129. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(02)00340-3 [33] D. Bohn, “Micro Gas Turbine and Fuel Cell—A Hybrid Energy Conversion System with High Potential,” In: Micro Gas Turbines, 2005, pp. 13-1-13-46. http://www.rto.nato.int/abstracts.asp [34] R. A. George and N. F. Bessette, “Reducing the Manufacturing Cost of Tubular SOFC Technology,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 71, No. 1-2, 1998, pp. 131-137. [35] “Energy Conservation in Wastewater Treatment Facilities Manual of Practice,” Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, 1997, pp. 1-142. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(97)02735-3 [36] J. 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[1] S. Rehman, I. M. El-Amin, F. Ahmad, S. M. Shaahid, A. M. Al-Shehri, J. M. Bakhashwain, et al., “Feasibility study of Hybrid Retrofits to an Isolated Off-Grid Diesel Power Plant,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 11, No. 4, 2007, pp. 635-653. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2005.05.003 [2] M. Ball, M. Wietschel and O. Rentz, “Integration of a Hydrogen Economy into the German Energy System: An Optimizing Modeling Approach,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 32, No. 10-11, 2007, pp. 13551368. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2006.10.016 [3] S. M. Shaahid and M. A. Elhadidy, “Technical and Economic Assessment of Grid-Independent Hybrid Photovoltaic-Diesel-Battery Power Systems for Commercial Loads in Desert Environments,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 11, No. 8, 2007, pp. 17941810. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2006.03.001 [4] R. U. Ayres, H. Turton and T. Casten, “Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Economic Growth,” Energy, Vol. 32, No. 5, 2007, pp. 634-648. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2006.06.005 [5] E. R. Sanseverino, M. L. Di Silvestre, M. G. Ippolito, A. De Paola and G. L. Re, “An Execution, Monitoring and Replanning Approach for Optimal Energy Management in Micro Grids,” Energy, Vol. 36, No. 5, 2011, pp. 34293436. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2011.03.047 [6] O. Erdinc and M. Uzunoglu, “Optimum Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems: Overview of Different Approaches,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2012, pp. 1412-1425. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.11.011 [7] P. Yilmaz, M. H. Hocaoglu and A. E. S. Konukman, “A Pre-Feasibility Case Study on Integrated Resource Planning Including Renewables,” Energy Policy, Vol. 36, No. 3, 2008, pp. 1223-1232. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2007.12.007 [8] A. Hepbasli, “A Key Review on Exergetic Analysis and Assessment of Renewable Energy Resources for a Sustainable Future,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 12, No. 3, 2008, pp. 593-661. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2006.10.001 [9] A. Kornelakis, “Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization for the Optimal Design of Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Systems,” Solar Energy, Vol. 84, No. 12, 2010, pp. 2022-2033. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2010.10.001 [10] S. A. Tassou, “Energy Conservation and Resource Utilization in Waste-Water Treatment Plants,” Applied Energy, Vol. 30, 1988, pp. 113-129. doi:10.1016/0306-2619(88)90008-6 [11] Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) and Resource Dynamics Corporation, “Opportunities for Combined Heat and Power at Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Market Analysis and Lessons from the Field,” US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Combined Heat and Power Partnership (CHPP), 2011. http://www.epa.gov/CHP/documents/wwtf_opportunities.pdf [12] T. A. Elmitwall, A. Al-Sarawey, M. F. El-Sherbiny, G. Zeeman and G. Lettinga, “Anaerobic Biodegradability and Treatment of Egyptian Domestic Sewage,” 5th IWA Conference in Small Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems, Istanbul, 24-26 September 2002. [13] M. L. Davis, “Water and Wastewater Engineering-Design Principles & Practice,” The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York, 2010. [14] Water Environment Federation, “Design of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants,” 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill Professional, New York, 2010. [15] A. Lise, J. Baeyans, J. Degreve and R. Dewil, “Principles and Potential of the Anaerobic Digestion of Waste-Activated Sludge,” Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 34, No. 6, 2008, pp. 755-781. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2008.06.002 [16] M. Ghazy, T. Dockhorn and N. Dichtl, “Sewage Sludge Management in Egypt: Current Status and Perspectives towards a Sustainable Agricultural Use,” World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 57, 2009, p. 492. [17] T. George, F. L. Burton and H. D. Stensel, “Wastewater Engineering. Treatment & Reuse,” 4th Edition, Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., New York, 2003. [18] G. R. Simader, R. Krawinkler and G. Trnka, “Micro CHP systems: State-of-the-Art,” Osterreichische Energieagentur, Austrian Energy Agency, 2006. [19] Energy and Environmental Analysis, “Technology Characterization: Fuel Cell,” Environmental Protection Agency, Combined Heat and Power Partnership, 2008. http://www.epa.gov/chp/documents/catalog_chptech_fuel_cells.pdf [20] C. Soares, “Microturbines-Applications for Distributed Energy Systems,” Elsevier Inc., Amsterdam, 2007. [21] J. R. Wiser, J. W. Schettler and J. L. Willis, “Evaluation of Combined Heat and Power Technologies for Wastewater Treatment Facilities,” US Environmental Protection Agency, 2010. http://www.brownandCaldwell.com. [22] Energy and Environmental Analysis, “CHP Technologies,” Environmental Protection Agency, 2008. http://www.epa.gov/chp/documents/catalog_chptech_full.pdf [23] National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Gas-Fired Distributed Energy Resource Technology Characterizations,” Report NREL/TP-620-34783, 2003. [24] A. Bauen, D. Hart and A. Chase, “Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation in Developing Countries—An Analysis,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 28, No. 7, 2003, pp. 695-701. doi:10.1016/S0360-3199(02)00248-3 [25] S. Mekhilef, R. Saidur and A. Safari, “Comparative Study of Different Fuel Cell Technologies,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2012, pp. 981989. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2011.09.020 [26] K. Alanne and A. Saari, “Sustainable Small-Scale CHP Technologies for Buildings: The Basis for Multi-Perspective Decision-Making,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 8, No. 5, 2004, pp. 401-431. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2003.12.005 [27] P. Viebahn, R. Gerboni, M. Pehnt and E. Lavagno, “Final Report on Technical Data, Costs and Life Cycle Inventories of FCs,” New Energy Externalities Developments for Sustainabiliy (NEED), 2008. http://www.needs-project.org/RS1a/RS1a%20D9.2%20Final%20report%20on%20fuel%20cells.pdf [28] J. Van Herle, Y. Membrez and O. Bucheli, “Biogas as a Fuel Source for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Cogenerators,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 127, No. 1-2, 2000, pp. 300-312. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2003.09.027 [29] F. Calise, “Design of a Hybrid Polygeneration System with Solar Collectors and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Dynamic Simulation and Economic Assessment,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 36, No. 10, 2011, pp. 6128-6150. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.02.057 [30] A. Liu and Y. Weng, “Performance Analysis of a Pressurized Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell/Micro-Gas Turbine Hybrid System,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 195, No. 1, 2010, pp. 204-213. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.07.024 [31] M. R. Ghazy, T. Dockhorn and N. Dichtl, “Economic and Environmental Assessment of Sewage Sludge Treatment Processes Application in Egypt,” International Water Technology Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2011. [32] F. Jurado, “Study of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell—Microturbinehybrid Power Cycles,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 111, No. 1, 2002, pp. 121-129. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(02)00340-3 [33] D. Bohn, “Micro Gas Turbine and Fuel Cell—A Hybrid Energy Conversion System with High Potential,” In: Micro Gas Turbines, 2005, pp. 13-1-13-46. http://www.rto.nato.int/abstracts.asp [34] R. A. George and N. F. Bessette, “Reducing the Manufacturing Cost of Tubular SOFC Technology,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 71, No. 1-2, 1998, pp. 131-137. [35] “Energy Conservation in Wastewater Treatment Facilities Manual of Practice,” Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, 1997, pp. 1-142. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(97)02735-3 [36] J. Nouri, et al., “Energy Recovery from Wastewater Treatment Plant,” Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2006, pp. 3-6. doi:10.3923/pjbs.2006.3.6 [37] M. Ameri and M. J. Heidari, “The Application of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for Power Generation in Iran: Feasibility and Cost Analysis,” The 2nd Joint International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE 2006), Bangkok, 21-23 November 2006. [38] R. J. Spiegel, et al, “Fuel Cell Operation on Anaerobic Digester Gas: Conceptual Design and Assessment,” Waste Management, Vol. 19, No. 6, 1999, pp. 389-399. doi:10.1016/S0956-053X(99)00197-X [39] P. Breeze, “Power Generation Technologies,” Newnes, New South Wales, 2005. [40] G. M. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems,” John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2004. doi:10.1002/0471668826 [41] Al-Badi, et al, “Economic Perspective of PV Electricity in Oman,” Journal of Energy, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2011, pp. 226-232. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2010.10.047