A Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis and Emission Reduction in Wastewater Treatment Plants: A Case Study in Pattaya City 10.32526/ennrj/23/20240303
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Abstract
This study analyzes the contributions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) at Pattaya City to the areas of Naklua, Pattaya City, and Jomtien. This analysis was carried out 2021-2023 by visiting the sites, interviewing plant managers, filling out scientifically designed questionnaires and by processing the data obtained using computational methods developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It was found that the total carbon footprint (CF) from both the Pattaya City and Jomtien WWTPs had the potential to contribute 5,610.61-6,020.18 tCO2eq/year and that carbon intensity ranged between 0.45-0.47 kg CO2eq/m3 in treated wastewater. The study found that the main sources of emissions were the wastewater collection system (34.47-44.61%), activated sludge process (43.02-45.74%), and electricity consumption (30.02-39.48%). Therefore, the study suggests three options for GHG reduction. Installing solar cells on the office building roof could generate 156,780 kWh annually, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by 108.70 tCO2eq/year, and a savings of 35,658.52 USD. This is equivalent to a 2.38% reduction in the WWTP’s GHG emissions. Installing solar cells in the plant could also generate 823,680 kWh annually, leading to a reduction in GHG emissions of 571.06 tCO2eq/year, or 12.50%, and a savings of 187,304.58 USD. Installing a WWTP at station PS12 with a capacity of 60,874.65 m3/day could also reduce the GHG footprint from the wastewater collection system by 1,219.44 tCO2eq/year, or 36.41%, and result in a savings of 239,091.57 USD. To reach carbon neutrality and energy sustainability, the approaches for resource recovery, nutrient recycling, water reuse, and energy production on-site with combined heat and power (CHP) from biogas should be investigated in the future.
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