Life cycle-based water footprint analysis of ceramic filter for point-of-use water purification in remote areas

摘要

Ceramic filters are a point-of-use (POU) technology applied for water purification in developing regions. Nano-CeO_2 modified ceramic filter water purifier (CeO_2-CFP) is designed to provide clean potable water and address drinking water safety issues in remote areas. To assess the impact of the entire life cycle of CeO_2-CFP on the water environment, a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based water footprint framework was established. The context of remote areas was used to exemplify the calculation of the developed model under different technical scenarios. The production of CeO_2-CFP in the high-tech scenario exhibited excellent environmental performance and water resource cost-effectiveness was found to be only 1.59. Raw materials (71.41%) and staff consumption (82.54%) represented the largest share of water footprint in the high-tech and low-tech scenarios, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was proceeded to identify the critical factors affecting the water footprint of CeO_2-CFP system and the interactions of these significant factors were investigated. A results-based analysis was carried out in consideration of environmental, social, and economic aspects, and some recommendations for reducing water footprint of CeO_2-CFP were formulated.