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Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a pivotal role in natural water recycling and safeguarding the water security of approximately 42% of the world's population, yet they confront challenges posed by escalating energy consumption and regional energy constraints. In this study, we developed an evaluation framework that integrated regional energy scarcity with the operation conditions of WWTPs to quantify their energy efficiencies by applying multiregional input–output (MRIO) analysis and data envelopment analysis (DEA). A case study using this framework was conducted on 3776 WWTPs in 30 provinces in China. The results showed that the average scarcity-based energy efficiency level of WWTPs in China was low, of which those in northern provinces were higher compared to southeastern provinces. Furthermore, only 24 WWTPs in China attained the highest efficiency levels, while the rest had different degrees of input redundancy, indicating an energy-saving potential of 9.05 × 109 kWh. This paper enables the development of optimal efficiency strategies for WWTPs in different provinces considering the potential energy scarcity risks caused by trading activities. • The DEA and MRIO analyses were combined for 3776 WWTPs in China. • Efficiency evaluation index was modified considering energy scarcity levels. • Scarcity-based energy efficiency assessment framework for WWTPs was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the comparative study of vertical and horizontal vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) modules coupled with mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) system to obtain the optimal system layout structure and further improve operation stability and energy efficiency in the wastewater treatment. Firstly, freshwater accumulation characteristic in the vertical VMD module was explored under different working conditions. Then, comparative experiments of vertical and horizontal VMD-MVR systems were conducted. Finally, comprehensive performance of horizontal VMD-MVR system were evaluated. The obtained results showed that freshwater production in the distilling tank and freshwater accumulation in the VMD module were affected by operation time, feed temperature, feed flow rate, feed concentration and vacuum side pressure. Furthermore, the horizontal VMD-MVR system was proved to be a better choice due to lower freshwater accumulation in the VMD module and energy consumption in comparison to the vertical VMD-MVR system. Finally, long term operation experiment of 240 h indicated evaporation rate dropped to 55 kg/h as operation time reached to 180 h owing to membrane fouling. After membrane cleaning, evaporation rate recovered from 55 to 62 kg/h with a higher recovery efficiency of 95.1 %. Compared to conventional wastewater treatment systems, the horizontal VMD-MVR system exhibited excellent comprehensive performance. [Display omitted] • Performance comparison of vertical and horizontal VMD-MVR were conducted. • Freshwater accumulation in the VMD module affected the evaporation rate. • Vertical VMD-MVR system had higher energy consumption than horizontal system. • Separation efficiency of horizontal VMD-MVR system was 99.9 %. • Evaporation rate recovered from 55 kg/h to 62 kg/h after membrane cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Feasibility of using organic wastewater as renewable energy source is verified. • ＞99% COD, TOC removal rate in the experimental platform. • Up to 78.75% of the energy recovery efficiency of the SCWO system. The degradation of high concentration organic wastewater and the recovery of energy using supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology have the potential to become viable in the future. High concentration organic wastewater contains a significant amount of energy. This paper focuses on utilizing high concentrated wastewater as a renewable energy source, from an energy system perspective, an experimental rig was designed to determine the optimal working conditions. The experiments were conducted with an oxidation coefficient of 1.1, a flow rate of high concentration organic wastewater of 9 ml/min, a heating temperature of 400 °C, and a reaction pressure of 25 MPa. Under these conditions, the COD and TOC removal rates of the high concentration organic wastewater were found to be 99.383 % and 99.876 % respectively. Additionally, the phenomenon of "Abnormalities in pressure sensitivity" observed during high concentration organic wastewater the experiment was further explained through additional experiments. Finally, by comparing the experimental energy recovery with the simulation results, an energy recovery efficiency of 78.95 % was achieved. The feasibility of the simulated energy recovery in practice was verified, confirming the potential to convert the previous energy-consuming wastewater treatment process into a productive one. This study provides a theoretical and experimental foundation for further related research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]