Process-based LCA of ultrafiltration for drinking water production

Abstract

Researchers and industrials need decision-making tools to make informed decisions on environmental mitigation strategies and proceed with the overall ecodesign of processes. In this study, a tool that couples membrane filtration process modelling and life cycle analysis has been developed, for which material and energy flows are calculated for variable operating conditions and are the basis for environmental impact assessment. The resulting generic model has been applied to dead-end ultrafiltration of ground and surface waters for drinking water production with cellulose triacetate hollow fibers. Operating strategies have been investigated to mitigate environmental impacts of the two major hotspots (electricity and backwash cleaning chemical consumptions). Adjusting filtration cycle duration and filtration flux has shown to be a promising lever. The developed model is sufficiently flexible and modular for its adaptation to other membrane materials, filtration configurations (i.e. cross-flow) as well as to other applications.