Gravity and gravity-pump sewage systems including energy embodied in each system – case studies

ABSTRACT

In this article, the entire energy embodied in a sewage system has been estimated. The concepts of LCC, LCA and EE have been taken into consideration. The estimation of this energy is calculated from the moment of extracting the raw materials, through its transportation, to the making of a final product. The choice of materials and production technology is an important aspect here. This article considers the construction procedure of a gravity and gravity-pump sewage system, including estimating the amount of energy. In order to calculate the energy embodied in a sewage system, not only the cost of materials and transportation need to be taken into account but also the energy needed for laying a pipeline in the ground, system operation and the lifetime of the system’s components. The article aims to estimate the entire energy embodied in both aforementioned sewage system type. The most rational solution has been chosen.

KEYWORDS:

• Embodied energy
• gravity sewage system
• gravity-pump sewage system
• groundworks
• LCA
• LCC

Highlights

• Main energy cost of sewage system is incurred during the system operation.

• Materials used to build sewage systems make up the second-largest energy cost.

• More expensive technology/materials help to avoid excessive system operation cost.

• Trenchless method of building a sewage system minimizes impact on the environment.

• Energy cost of designing and laying a pipeline is low for the entire energy cost.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2021.1925934.

Additional information

Funding

The research was financed from the own resources of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, and Institute of Environmental Engineering in Poznan University of Technology.