The individual cost contributions to the mechanical components of a small membrane bioreactor (MBR) (100–2,500 m3/d flow capacity) are itemised and collated to generate overall capital and operating costs (CAPEX and OPEX) as a function of size. The outcomes are compared to those from previously published detailed cost studies provided for both very small containerised plants (<40 m3/day capacity) and larger municipal plants (2,200–19,000 m3/d). Cost curves, as a function of flow capacity, determined for OPEX, CAPEX and net present value (NPV) based on the heuristic data used indicate a logarithmic function for OPEX and a power-based one for the CAPEX. OPEX correlations were in good quantitative agreement with those reported in the literature. Disparities in the calculated CAPEX trend compared with reported data were attributed to differences in assumptions concerning cost contributions. More reasonable agreement was obtained with the reported membrane separation component CAPEX data from published studies. The heuristic approach taken appears appropriate for small-scale MBRs with minimal costs associated with installation. An overall relationship of net present value = (a tb)Q(−c lnt+d) was determined for the net present value where a = 1.265, b = 0.44, c = 0.00385 and d = 0.868 according to the dataset employed for the analysis.
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Research Article|
July 23 2015
The cost of a small membrane bioreactor
C. H. Lo;
C. H. Lo
1Cranfield University, UK
2Ecologix Technologies, Taiwan
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S. Judd
1Cranfield University, UK
3Qatar University, Qatar
E-mail: [email protected]
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Water Sci Technol (2015) 72 (10): 1739–1746.
Article history
Received:
May 21 2015
Accepted:
July 10 2015
Citation
C. H. Lo, E. McAdam, S. Judd; The cost of a small membrane bioreactor. Water Sci Technol 11 November 2015; 72 (10): 1739–1746. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2015.394
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