High Rate Algae Ponds (HRAPs) are a promising technology for the treatment of municipal wastewater in locations with sufficient space and solar radiation. Algae-based processes do not require aeration, and thus have the potential to be less energy-intensive than activated sludge processes. We used a combination of LCA and LCCA analysis to evaluate the sustainability of HRAP systems, using data from the construction and operation of two demonstration-scale systems in Almería and Cádiz, Spain. As a reference for comparison, we used data from an activated sludge-based Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment system in operation in Leppersdorf, Germany, which has comparable removal rates for a similar inflow. We focused solely on the actual wastewater treatment aspect of these technologies, excluding sludge treatment from this analysis. Based on our analysis, the current HRAP technology is more energy-efficient than activated sludge-based SBRs and requires only 22% of its electricity consumption. In addition, HRAP is more advantageous both economically (0.18 €/m3 versus 0.26 €/m3) and environmentally, with both lower global warming and eutrophication potentials (146.27 vs. 458.27 × 10-3 kg CO2 equiv./m3; 126.14 vs. 158.01 × 10-6 kg PO4 equiv./m3). However, the Net Environmental Benefit of SBR was slightly more favorable than of HRAP because of the higher removal rate for nutrients of SBR.

中文翻译：

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评估藻类和基于细菌的废水处理系统的生命周期可持续性：高速藻类池和定序分批反应器。

高速率藻类池塘（HRAP）是一种有前途的技术，用于在空间和太阳辐射充足的地方处理市政废水。基于藻类的工艺不需要曝气，因此比活性污泥工艺的能耗低。我们使用LCA和LCCA分析的组合来评估HRAP系统的可持续性，并使用了西班牙阿尔梅里亚和加的斯两个示范规模系统的建设和运营数据。作为比较的参考，我们使用了在德国Leppersdorf运行的，基于活性污泥的测序间歇反应器（SBR）处理系统中的数据，该系统对于类似的进水具有相同的去除率。我们仅关注这些技术的实际废水处理方面，但从此分析中排除了污泥处理。根据我们的分析，当前的HRAP技术比基于活性污泥的SBR更加节能，并且仅消耗其22％的电力。此外，HRAP在经济上（0.18€/ m3对0.26€/ m3）和环境方面都更具优势，同时全球变暖和富营养化潜力更低（146.27 vs.458.27×10-3 kg CO2当量/ m3; 126.14 vs. 158.01×10-6千克PO4当量/立方米）。但是，SBR的净环境效益比HRAP略好，因为SBR养分的去除率更高。全球变暖和富营养化潜能均较低（146.27 vs.458.27×10-3 kg CO2当量/立方米; 126.14 vs.158.01×10-6 kg PO4当量/立方米）。但是，SBR的净环境效益比HRAP略好，因为SBR养分的去除率更高。全球变暖和富营养化潜能均较低（146.27 vs.458.27×10-3 kg CO2当量/立方米; 126.14 vs.158.01×10-6 kg PO4当量/立方米）。但是，SBR的净环境效益比HRAP略好，因为SBR养分的去除率更高。