Assessing Industrial Water Reuse Synergies: A Port Melbourne Scoping Study

摘要: Urban water scarcity from drought and an increasing population are driving a range of water saving options to be explored in Melbourne (Australia). This paper assesses the costeffectiveness of five water treatment and industrial reuse options in the Port Melbourne industrial area. In consultation with industrial stakeholders and the local water utility, the scoping study design began by identifying potential water sources and sinks in the area. Treatment technologies for each option–using a combination of membrane bioreactors (MBR) and in some cases reverse osmosis (RO) technologies–were developed. In evaluating the potential for future implementation, the cost effectiveness ($/kiloLitre) was assessed relative to supply and demand-side options available in Melbourne. Industrial water recycling at the proposed scale (250–350 kL/day) was found to be more expensive than efficiency options (water reduction at source) and also large-scale desalination. The paper describes drivers (increasing water and trade waste prices, saving water, corporate social responsibility) and barriers (capital and operating cost) to implementation identified by the companies and these are discussed in comparison with water reuse synergies which were successfully implemented in the Kwinana industrial area (Western Australia). Future implementation of industrial ecology opportunities requires strong stakeholder involvement processes as described in this work. Furthermore, the energy costs of the proposed water recycling technologies in Port Melbourne were significant and suggest further potential through co-generation to improve water and energy efficiency …