ASABE Technical Library - Abstract

Abstract. The Nutrient-Energy-Water Technology (N-E-W Tech^TM) system is an emerging and innovative process with the primary objective of addressing the food-energy-water nexus. The system utilizes novel biochar- catalytic oxidation- reactive filtration as means of recovering nitrogen, phosphorus, and clean water from wastewater resources. The ongoing research surrounding this system is looking both towards new ways to molecularly bind phosphorus and nitrogen to a functionalized biochar and disinfect water resources in order to produce reusable water and a nutrient rich soil amendment for agricultural applications. Nutrient enriched biochar used as a soil amendment will sequester carbon from the atmosphere while offsetting the demand for fertilizers produced through mining and industrial processing. The intention of this project is to conduct a life cycle analysis surrounding the N-E-W Tech system. Life cycle analysis is a cradle-to-grave analysis and establishes benchmark of the energy required to operate the system, energy efficiency optimization opportunities, and an analysis of potential reductions in the harvesting of natural resources. Additionally, due to the potential offsets in the demand for natural resource extraction, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere via the mining, processing, and production of agricultural fertilizers. Currently, the N-E-W Tech system can achieve full operations utilizing approximately 5.7 kW of electricity and is capable of processing 1000 gallons (12 gpm) of waste water for approximately 0.60 dollars. Furthermore, the system has state-of-the-art removal of total phosphorus to 0.006 mg/L when treating secondary municipal waste water. Analysis regarding the global warming potential (GWP) showed that the combined net GWP of the inputs and outputs of the system was approximately 6.07216 pounds CO₂ equivalent.