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Towards Water and Energy Self-Sufficiency: a Closed-Loop, Solar-Driven, Low-Tech Laundry Pilot Facility (LaundReCycle) for the Reuse of Laundry Wastewater

Author

Listed:
  • Devi Buehler

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences
    Ghent University)

  • Nadine Antenen

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

  • Matthias Frei

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

  • Christoph Koller

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

  • Diederik P. L. Rousseau

    (Ghent University)

  • Andreas Schoenborn

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

  • Ranka Junge

    (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

In the scope of this study, a pilot facility for the recycling of laundry effluent was developed and tested. With the aim to enable nearly complete energy and water self-sufficiency, the system is powered by a photovoltaic plant with second-life batteries, treats the wastewater within the unit and constantly reuses the treated wastewater for washing in a closed cycle. The technology for wastewater treatment is based on a low-tech approach consisting of a physical/mechanical pre-treatment and biological treatment in trickling filter columns. The treatment process is operated in batch mode for a capacity of five washing cycles per day. During five weeks of operation water quality, energy consumption and production, water losses and washing performance were monitored. The system recovered 69% of the used water for the washing machine while treating the wastewater to the necessary water quality levels. The average COD removal rate per cycle was 92%. Energy analysis was based on modelled data of the monitored energy consumption. With the current set-up, an internal consumption rate of 80% and self-sufficiency of 30% were modelled. Future developments aim at increasing water and energy self-sufficiency and optimizing the water treatment efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Devi Buehler & Nadine Antenen & Matthias Frei & Christoph Koller & Diederik P. L. Rousseau & Andreas Schoenborn & Ranka Junge, 2021. "Towards Water and Energy Self-Sufficiency: a Closed-Loop, Solar-Driven, Low-Tech Laundry Pilot Facility (LaundReCycle) for the Reuse of Laundry Wastewater," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 1037-1051, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:1:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s43615-021-00077-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-021-00077-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ahmad, Jamil & EL-Dessouky, Hisham, 2008. "Design of a modified low cost treatment system for the recycling and reuse of laundry waste water," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(7), pages 973-978.
    2. Christos Makropoulos & David Butler, 2010. "Distributed Water Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(11), pages 2795-2816, September.
    3. Devi Bühler & Thorsten Schuetze & Ranka Junge, 2015. "Towards Development of a Label for Zero Emission Buildings: A Tool to Evaluate Potential Zero Emission Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Šostar-Turk, S. & Petrinić, I. & Simonič, M., 2005. "Laundry wastewater treatment using coagulation and membrane filtration," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 185-196.
    5. Luthander, Rasmus & Widén, Joakim & Nilsson, Daniel & Palm, Jenny, 2015. "Photovoltaic self-consumption in buildings: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 80-94.
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