PROJECT: My project is to find a way to re-use waste water for improving sustainability. This topic will be narrowed out more based on what I find during my research.
METHOD: To find different ways to use waste water on-site.
1. Can I extract heat from warm waste water and transfer it to incoming water?
2. Can I re-use the waste water to water vegetation?
3. How can I go about implementing an on site treatment facility?
4. Can I use the flow of waste water to generate some electricity?
5. Would an algae pond be an effective method of treating waste water?
SPECIAL PROBLEMS: I would like to find information on similar projects to see what it would cost to implement a system of this type. Or if I could find products and methods that already exist. Also what maintenance issues that would arise.
REFERENCES:
Hitchcock, Darcy E. (2006). The Business Guide to Sustainability.
London; Sterling, VA. Earthscan.
Kincade-Levario, Heather. (2007) Design for Water.
Gabriona, B.C. New Society Publishers.
Harvey, L. (2006). A Handbook on Low-Energy Buildings and District Energy Systems.
London; Sterling, VA. Earthscan.
Smith, Peter F. (2005). Architecture in a Climate of Change.
Oxford, Boston. Elsevier/Architectural Press.
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This is a great topic, and I might be able to give you some information about an alternative to algae ponds for on-site wastewater treatment.
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to something called a treatment marsh (Grey water marsh). This is something that filters the site’s grey water and pumps out clean and reusable water. This water can be used for watering gardens.
Not all plants grow well with Grey water, and there are a few public health standards with its uses, so this web site might help clear that information up:
http://www.humboldt.edu/~ccat/waterconservation/marsh/stacySP2002/greywater.html
Hope this helps, and good luck with your research!
This summer, I heard some co-workers talking about a new way that some people are recovering heat from waste water.
ReplyDeleteThe idea is, the water leaving a house is always warmer than the water entering a house. Somewhere along the waste pipe, there is a special fitting that 'wraps around' the cold water entering the hot-water tank. This pre-heats the water slightly before it enters the hot water tank, allowing for minor instantaneous savings in your power usage.
After some searching, I came across a site with some more specifics.
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs_lenders_raters/downloads/Waste_Water_Heat_Recovery_Guidelines.pdf
I think you should be more specific about the scope of your project. Are you dealing with a commercial building, high rise condos, or a single family house? Your choice of application will determine the types of systems that are appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI came across two great articles about recyling waste water while researching renewable energy. One relates to residential and the other relates to commercial. Not sure which way your going, so I'll give both of them.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/pubs/fs74.pdf
http://www.ptac.org/eet/dl/presentation%2024.pdf