Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil E-mail:
Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
Water Sci Technol. 2021 Feb;83(3):501-514. doi: 10.2166/wst.2020.608.
In its 30 years of existence, there are still many improvement possibilities in studies performing the life cycle assessment (LCA) of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Hence, this paper aims to start a guideline development for LCA of urban WWTPs based on the information available in the scientific literature on the topic. The authors used the ProKnow-C systematic review methodology for paper selection and 111 studies were analyzed. The most significant points that can be improved are caused by missing essential information (e.g. functional unity and input data). Other important methodological aspects are covered: allocation process, functional unit choice, sensitivity analysis, and important fluxes to be considered. Many opportunities within the LCA of WWTPs were identified, such as optimization of WWTP operational aspects and resource recovery. Furthermore, LCA should be combined with other methodologies such as big data, data envelopment analysis, life cycle cost assessment, and social life cycle assessment. To achieve this potential, it is clear that the scientific and technical community needs to converge on a new protocol to ensure that LCA application becomes more reliable and transparent.
在其 30 年的存在中，仍有许多改进的可能性在研究中执行生命周期评估（LCA）的污水处理厂（WWTPs）。因此，本文旨在根据该主题的科学文献中的现有信息，为城市 WWTP 的 LCA 制定指南。作者使用 ProKnow-C 系统综述方法进行论文选择，分析了 111 项研究。最显著的改进点是由于缺少基本信息（例如功能统一性和输入数据）造成的。还涵盖了其他重要的方法学方面：分配过程、功能单位选择、敏感性分析和要考虑的重要通量。在 WWTP 的 LCA 中有许多机会，例如优化 WWTP 的操作方面和资源回收。此外，LCA 应与其他方法相结合，如大数据、数据包络分析、生命周期成本评估和社会生命周期评估。为了实现这一潜力，很明显，科学界和技术界需要达成一个新的协议，以确保 LCA 的应用更加可靠和透明。
