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GPS-X modeling of sidestreams elimination for enhanced energy recovery and greenhouse gas mitigation in a full-scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic plant
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1
Kerbala Sewerage Directorate, Kerbala 56001, Iraq
 
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School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
 
3
Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Mustaqbal University, Babylon 51001, Iraq
 
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Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq
 
 
Publication date: 2026-09-05
 
 
Corresponding author
Haider M. Zwain   

Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq
 
 
J. Ecol. Eng. 2026; 27(12)
 
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ABSTRACT
The balance between effluent quality, energy consumption efficiency, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions should be well maintained in modern wastewater treatment plants (WWTP’s). In this study, a novel process was employed to eliminate sidestreams from a full-scale anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2/O) WWTP, reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption while improving renewable energy production. The integrated plant processes were then modeled using GPS-X simulation, and the model was assessed using comprehensive data from a full-scale WWTP (A2/O) process. The results highlighted that the novel process increased renewable energy by 100 m3/day of biogas, equivalent to 214 kW. It also contributed to a high reduction in energy consumption by about 442.51 kW. Furthermore, the elimination of sidestreams has contributed to a 12 and 13% reduction in net carbon footprint and N2O released into the atmosphere, respectively. These results conclude that treating the sidestreams separately can improve the sustainable management of the A2/O WWTP.
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