Towards the Circular Economy

White Paper

Municipal wastewater treatment plants face rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and pressure to meet sustainability targets. Traditional systems prioritize upfront capital savings, but this short-term thinking leads to higher lifetime costs and environmental impact. The shift to a circular economy demands a new approach—one that considers the full lifecycle of equipment and resources.

This white paper from Robuschi outlines how wastewater treatment facilities can transition to circular practices by focusing on total cost of ownership (TCO). It offers practical insights into energy recovery, nutrient reuse, and water reclamation, while showing how compressed air systems—often overlooked—can be optimized for long-term savings.

Get the complete guide to circular economy strategies in wastewater treatment, including real-world results from Charles Brand’s facility upgrade.

Towards the Circular Economy White Paper

Key Takeaways

1. Circular Economy in Action

Wastewater treatment aligns naturally with circular principles. Facilities can extract energy from sludge, recover valuable nutrients, and reuse water for agriculture, industry, and groundwater replenishment.

2. Compressed Air: A Hidden Cost Driver

Energy is the largest lifecycle cost in compressed air systems. Prioritizing TCO over purchase price leads to better ROI and lower emissions. Key cost components include:

Capital expenditure
Energy consumption
Maintenance and service
Spare parts and repairs

3. Applications That Matter

Compressed air powers critical processes like:
Aeration (oxygenating sludge)
Sand filtration backwash
Primary sedimentation
Slurry pumping

4. Specifying for Efficiency

Avoid over-specification. Use data logging to match system output to plant needs. Consider shaft vs. package power, noise levels (target <80 dB), and ISO 9614-2 compliance.

5. Smart Control Systems

PLC-based control systems respond to site demands in real time, reducing energy waste. Central controllers optimize machine combinations for lower pressure bands and better efficiency.

6. Maintenance and Ventilation

Downstream pressure losses and poor ventilation increase energy use and damage equipment. Regular maintenance and proper airflow design are essential.

7. Case Study: Charles Brand

By replacing oversized blowers with Robuschi WS 85 Robox Energy screw blowers, Charles Brand cut energy use by 539,844 kWh in one year. The upgrade reduced space requirements, enabled remote monitoring, and delivered a 20% cost saving with a 3-year payback.

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FAQs

TCO includes all costs over the lifecycle of equipment—purchase, energy, maintenance, repairs, and spare parts. It’s a more accurate measure of value than upfront price.

Towards the Circular Economy

White Paper

Key Takeaways

Download the Full White Paper

FAQs

What is the total cost of ownership (TCO) in wastewater treatment?

How does compressed air fit into the circular economy?

What technologies support circular practices in wastewater plants?

Why is energy consumption so important in TCO?

How can I reduce noise and ventilation issues in my plant?