Study on the Construction and Application of a Prediction Model for Carbon Emissions in Wastewater Biological Treatment Processes

Carbon emissions accounting of wastewater treatment systems is essential for understanding their energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. To overcome the inefficiencies and high uncertainty of traditional carbon emission accounting methods in wastewater treatment, carbon emission prediction software for biological wastewater treatment systems was developed. This system is based on biochemical reactions that occur during biological wastewater treatment processes and the classification of carbon emission sources within the system. By utilizing stoichiometric relationships, a carbon emission accounting platform for wastewater treatment processes was created using programming languages, such as Python. The platform was used to calculate the carbon emissions of two typical urban wastewater treatment plants in Xi’an. The results indicated that oxidation ditches in conventional urban wastewater treatment processes demonstrated superior performance, with lower energy consumption and total carbon emissions. Carbon emission calculations also revealed that septic tanks, which are critical components of building drainage systems, are frequently underestimated and overlooked as significant carbon emission sources.