Scale-up and cost analysis of a photo-Fenton system for sanitary landfill leachate treatment

Abstract

This work presents the scale-up and cost analysis of a photo-Fenton process, using solar and/or artificial radiation, for the treatment of 100m3 per day of a sanitary landfill leachate previously oxidized in a biological system. The scale-up of the photo-oxidation system, taking into account the CPCs (compound parabolic collectors) area and land requirements for its installation and/or the number of UV lamps (with 4kW and 20,000-h of lifetime each), was performed considering the following data: (i) the average global UV irradiance and insolation in the specific location of the sanitary landfill; (ii) the amount of UV energy and H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> necessary for the photo-Fenton reaction in order to achieve two different target COD values, i.e., 1000 and 150mgO<inf>2</inf>/L (values according to the Portuguese discharge regulations into sewerage systems and water bodies, respectively). Regarding the optimal conditions, the plant includes 3836 and 6056m2 of CPCs, or 25 and 39 UV lamps, to achieve the above mentioned target COD values. A third plant configuration, combining simultaneous natural and artificial radiation, requires 2446 and 3862m2 of CPCs and, 19 and 30 UV lamps, respectively. Total photo-Fenton costs were based on the project's contingencies, engineering and setup and spare parts, personnel, maintenance, electricity and chemicals supply. Thus, the total unitary costs for the optimal conditions aiming to achieve COD values of 1000 and 150mgO<inf>2</inf>/L, were, respectively: (i) 6.8 and 11.0€/m3 using only CPCs; (ii) 7.2 and 11.7€/m3 resorting just to UV lamps; and (iii) 6.7 and 10.9€/m3 combining CPCs and UV lamps. The cost of the H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> reactant represents more than 30% of the total yearly cost. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V.