Identification of Industrial Symbiosis opportunities of treated water from Chilean waste water treatment plants.

Juan Jose Morales. MSc ESE student. Dissertation Project proposal.

Abstract. According to literature, industrial symbiosis development in water industry has been focused on water use efficiency, recycling, reuse, desalinisation and cooling purposes. Some succeed experiences about industrial water reuse synergies have been reported in Australia (e.g Kwinana Western Australia). These experiences were developed due to increasing scarcity of fresh water in the country. With up to 50 existing water synergies among 30 different companies in Kwinana have been identified and they have been recognised as a world leading example. Demineralised water, cooling water, potable water and waste water are some raw materials exchanged among different firms such as industrial chemical and fertilizer producer, coal and gas fired station, oil refinery, water supply and treatment plant. This regional project has been supported both for private organizations as government authorities. In addition, researchers have pointed out that treated water is also a potential innovative resource to be developed. Agricultural sector could be extensively benefited for example whether treated water from waste water treatment plants is reused in farms either by irrigation or as fertiliser by direct sludge applications in lands taking advantage of their high nitrogen and phosphor contents. Furthermore, some energy issues can be exploited such as gasification process by sludge anaerobic digestion and heat exchange processes and electricity generation. In Chile, Industrial symbiosis concept has already not been incorporated both in the water industry and in waste water treatment plants. However, despite the fact that firms have independently worked for reducing water use, maximizing water efficiency; there are several examples given by companies which can be considered as a forward of industrial symbiosis such as sludge used as fertilizer in to agricultural applications, methane sold to gas firms to provide households and treated water to mining industry for their productive processes. The main objective in the dissertation project is looking for opportunities of Industrial Symbiosis in the treated water from Chilean waste water treatment plants. In terms of Chilean water situation, 94% of the Chilean water market is under private management, roughly 87% of domestic waste water is treated and they are regulated by government policies. According to this, treated water from water treatment companies seem to be suitable for focusing on the research of exchanging of materials, energy and by-products with other firms as mentioned due to they are they are looking for new sustainable business ways to improve their incomes in the future. Methodology. To achieve objectives proposed, the following methodology is suggested: - Literature review related with industrial symbiosis and exchanges of material, energy, water and by-products from water treated. - Looking for Chilean experiences and programmes related with clean production and water synergies between industries. - Identify volume and quality of treated water from a national/regional perspective. - Identify uses of treated water and their by-product (final disposal, reuse, etc). - Examples of companies who are working on that. - Identify main stakeholders and proposing surveys or interviews to know new green business initiatives. - Flow diagram about potential opportunities of treated water from a national/regional point of view Information sources. Supervisor of Water and Sanitation Chile (public information), water companies national association, Sustainability reports, Environmental impact studies, stakeholders interviews and surveys.