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Identification of the Most Sustainable Alternative System for NE Toilets at UT: A comparative Study of Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting, Greywater Recycling, and Composting Toilets. CIVE 6900 Sustainability Science and Engineering Fall 2008. Professor: Dr. Apul
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Identification of the Most Sustainable Alternative System for NE Toilets at UT: A comparative Study of Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting, Greywater Recycling, and Composting Toilets CIVE 6900 Sustainability Science and Engineering Fall 2008 Professor: Dr. Apul Presenters: AkhilKadiyala, ZhengXue, Andrew E. Wright
Objectives • Application of ‘EIOLCA’. • Indicator Analysis – Environmental Indicator. – Natural Resource Consumption Indicator. – Economic Indicator. • Sustainability Index and Performance. • Possibility of obtaining LEED Credits.
Data Collection • Floor plans, plumbing diagrams, and number of toilets – Maintenance Department. • Utility water usage (gal/flush) obtained from online websites based on manufacturing company. • NE water bill - $4277.00 for 1048 ccf (783,904 gallons). • Materials required, quantities, and costs requires for LCA are obtained from online web search and open literature.
Current Water Usage in Restrooms • Assumptions • No. of people = 2370 • Usage of restroom = 1.5 times/day. • 75% Male and 25% Female • 30% of total water consumption is used by toilets.
Rainwater Harvesting • Design Criteria: • Roof rainwater collected at a general point and sent to a tank. • Filtered via ground filter. • The rainwater is then pumped to a header tank . • Disinfection with UV. • Rainwater is distributed to the WCs via the header tank which incorporates the main water back up, riser connection and overflow.
Greywater Recycling • Components : • Greywater Source • Collection through plumbing • Treatment System • Storage • Greywater Reuse
Greywater Loading Rates • Hydraulic Loading Rates • 0.25-1 gal/sq .ft /day – Fine media • 3-10 gal/sq .ft/day – Recirculation • Organic Loading Rates • 0.00025lbs BOD5/ft2/day to 0.0012 lbs BOD5/ft2/day - Fine media
Composting Toilets • Waterless or consume a minimum amount of flushing water. • Human waste is converted into an organic compost and usable soil.
Composting Toilet Replacements and Estimates • Total Cost of Construction = $105,180 • Total Cost for O&M = $5268
Life Cycle System Boundary • Functional Unit: savings per life cycle of each system ($/life cycle).
LCA Results Greenhouse gases for “Construction” and “O&M” Stages of a Life Cycle Energy for “Construction” and “O&M” Stages of a Life Cycle
Environmental Indicator • The need for potable water use for toilet flushing: • Cost for rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling with 811,950 gallons per year - $4,348. • For composting toilets, it would be 853,370 gallons with a cost of $4,608.
Natural Resource Consumption Indicator • Overall % Water Consumption Reduction • Rainwater Harvesting: 21.77% • Greywater Recycling: 45.92% • Composting Toilets: 21.72%
Economic Indicator Economical Choice Comparison based on Cost of Construction and O&M Economical Choice Comparison based on Cost/gal of water saved/day
Payback Period • Rainwater Harvesting: 23.42 yrs • Greywater Recycling: 40.18 yrs • Composting Toilets: 9.5 yrs
Sustainability Index and Performance Percentage Performance = Maximum Score of indicator × ∑Sustainable Score.
Applicable LEED Credits • WE 3.1: Water Use Reduction 20%. • The intent is to maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
Conclusions • Composting Toilets - Most Sustainable Alternative System. • Greywater Recycling is recommended for long term use – Ability to conserve large amounts of water, thereby reducing potable water demand. • Rain water harvesting can also be used similarly but the source of supply to this system is dependent on rainfall and seasons.
Limitations and Scope for Future Work • Limitations: • Difference in persons perspective. • Complete life cycle not taken into account. • Applicability to only toilet flushing is considered. • Scope for Future Work: • Study the combination of alternative systems studied individually in this study.