Abstract
Development of the Open SolWat system, which uses exclusively solar energy and is intended for tertiary treatment in a WWTP, as it could improve environmental sustainability and reduce energy consumption. Two prototypes of different sizes have been studied: Small and Large Open SolWat. These consisted of an open water disinfection reactor on a photovoltaic module, which had a pumping system that constantly cooled the surface of the module by means of a thin film of free-falling wastewater. The experiments took place on sunny days with climatic variability. Microbiological, physicochemical and photovoltaic performance analyses of the system were carried out. Large Open SolWat stood out with very beneficial results. It obtained reclaimed water after a SODIS treatment of 4 h under real sunlight, which could be used for other uses according to Spanish (RD 1620/2007) and European (R(EU) 2020/741) regulations. Simultaneously, the system generated energy with an energy efficiency that improved by 15–21 % compared to the reference PV module, as a consequence of the successful cooling of the module temperatures (16.2–30.6 °C) with wastewater. The energy generated could be used to self-supply the pumping system and compensate the energy demand of a WWTP in the future, using renewable energy.
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