## Optimization of Energy Consumption in Nablus - West Wastewater Treatment Plant

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2014
##### Authors
Ghossoun Hamedallah
Ayman Khudairy
Nablus West wastewater Treatment plant (NW-WWTP) is the largest WWTP in Palestine. It was put in operation in 2013, and currently receives domestic wastewater (WW), and serves 150,000 capita in 2020. The WWTP works under extended aeration technology, and has all major unit operations for water and sludge treatment. Produced sludge is being mechanically thickened and then stabilized in an anaerobic digester. Energy source for operation the plant is currently the purchased electricity from the national provider. The plant consumes energy at an average rate of 2&nbsp;300$/day in 2020. Around 80% of energy is consumed during the day time for operation of mechanical equipment, and 20% during the night for aerators only and lighting. The cost of WWTP operation is collected by Nablus Municipality through the billed domestic water consumption water consumption, where energy portion accounts up to 100% of WW treatment cost. To reduce the energy cost of NW-WWTP operation, available alternative sources were investigated. Considering the location of Nablus city that provides an average 7.8 hours daily of active sun radiation, solar energy production through photovoltaic panels was considered. Providing an available area of 6000 m2 in the plant and using SHARP panels (300 per 1000 m2), (30%) of plants energy can be produced. Another source that was considered is the methane gas produced from anaerobic digester, energy production from methane can cover up to 64%of the required energy through preheating of the digester feed, and electricity production through an internal consumption engine and electric generation. Carbonization of sludge through pyrolysis (to generate solid and gas fuel), is the last source of energy that was considered. Energy production from solar energy, methane gas, solid fuel in NW-WWTP will be reduce the energy cost up to an average approximately 3000$/day, and the percentage from the three alternatives more than 150%. The aims of the project as the following: 1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To perform optimization to all alternative power sources such as: wind power, solar panels power, methane gas which is resulted from sludge and carbonization of sludge through pyrolysis. 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Choosing the best type of power in accordance with cost, easily available and easily used, by using analysis the result which uses equations and engineering program as STOAT. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;