An emergy-based treatment sustainability index for evaluating waste treatment systems

摘要: Abstract The treatment of wastes can be accomplished using various combinations natural processes and human invented technologies that operate by a variety energy sources resources. In many waste systems, the itself is used as main source to drive (e.g., activated-sludge in advanced wastewater treatment). Understanding sustainability systems thus requires capability for quantitatively comparing resource inputs with waste-derived effluent quality. This study applied concepts emergy accounting develop index (TSI). theoretical basis TSI explained then two systems—an operating passive system hypothetical active treating mine drainage NE Oklahoma. accounts renewable purchased inputs, input from itself, amount work required receiving environment further treat effluent. Unlike other emergy-based indices, explicitly provided wastes, efficiency downstream effect on releasing pollutants into environments. Since associated during was orders magnitude larger than renewable, non-renewable or clearly captured importance emergy, able quantify their sustainability. offers new way assess all types systems.