The comparison of greenhouse gas emissions in sewage treatment plants with different treatment processes

Greenhouse gas emissions from different sewage treatment plants: oxidation ditch process, double-circulated anoxic-oxic process and anoxic-oxic process were evaluated based on the survey. The methane and nitrous oxide characteristics were discussed based on the gaseous and dissolved gas profiles. As a result, it was found that methane was produced in the sewer pipes and the primary sedimentation tank. Additionally, a ventilation system would promote the gasification of dissolved methane in the first treatment units. Nitrous oxide was produced and emitted in oxic tanks with nitrite accumulation inside the sewage treatment plant. A certain amount of nitrous oxide was also discharged as dissolved gas through the effluent water. If the amount of dissolved nitrous oxide discharge is not included, 7–14% of total nitrous oxide emission would be overlooked. Based on the greenhouse gas calculation, electrical consumption and the N2O emission from incineration process were major sources in all the plants. For greenhouse gas reduction, oxidation ditch process has an advantage over the other advanced systems due to lower energy consumption, sludge production, and nitrogen removal without gas stripping. [Display omitted] •Greenhouse gas emissions from different sewage treatment plants were investigated.•Dissolved nitrous oxide was discharged through the effluent water.•Oxidation ditch process has an advantage for greenhouse gas reduction.•Nitrous oxide from incineration was a major greenhouse gas source.