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Holistic Approach to Phosphorus Recovery from Urban Wastewater: Enhanced Biological Removal Combined with Precipitation

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Concetta Tomei

    (Water Research Institute, CNR, 00015 Roma, Italy)

  • Valentina Stazi

    (Water Research Institute, CNR, 00015 Roma, Italy)

  • Saba Daneshgar

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Andrea G. Capodaglio

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

Abstract

Combined phosphorus (P) removal and recovery from wastewater is a sensible and sustainable choice in view of potential future P-resource scarcity, due to dwindling primary global reserves. P-recovery from wastewater, notwithstanding the relatively small fraction of total global amounts involved (less than 1/5 of total global use ends up in wastewater) could extend the lifespan of available reserves and improve wastewater cycle sustainability. The recovery of the resource, rather than its mere removal as ferric or aluminum salt, will still allow to achieve protection of receiving waters quality, while saving on P-sludge disposal costs. To demonstrate the possibility of such a recovery, a strategy combining enhanced biological phosphorus removal and mineral P-precipitation was studied, by considering possible process modifications of a large treatment facility. Process simulation, a pilot study, and precipitation tests were conducted. The results demonstrated that it would be possible to convert this facility from chemical -precipitation to its biological removal followed by mineral precipitation, with minimal structural intervention. Considerable P-recovery could be obtained, either in form of struvite or, more sustainably, as calcium phosphate, a mineral that also has possible fertilizing applications. The latter would present a cost about one order of magnitude lower than the former.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Concetta Tomei & Valentina Stazi & Saba Daneshgar & Andrea G. Capodaglio, 2020. "Holistic Approach to Phosphorus Recovery from Urban Wastewater: Enhanced Biological Removal Combined with Precipitation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:2:p:575-:d:307947
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John F. Hallas & Cheryl L. Mackowiak & Ann C. Wilkie & Willie G. Harris, 2019. "Struvite Phosphorus Recovery from Aerobically Digested Municipal Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessio Siciliano & Carlo Limonti & Giulia Maria Curcio & Raffaele Molinari, 2020. "Advances in Struvite Precipitation Technologies for Nutrients Removal and Recovery from Aqueous Waste and Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-35, September.
    2. Rabia Abdur Rehman & Muhammad Farooq Qayyum & Ghulam Haider & Kate Schofield & Muhammad Abid & Muhammad Rizwan & Shafaqat Ali, 2021. "The Sewage Sludge Biochar and Its Composts Influence the Phosphate Sorption in an Alkaline–Calcareous Soil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Marcin Dębowski & Marcin Zieliński, 2020. "Technological Effectiveness of Sugar-Industry Effluent Methane Fermentation in a Fluidized Active Filling Reactor (FAF-R)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Xiaoqi Liu & Jialong Lv, 2023. "Efficient Phosphate Removal from Wastewater by Ca-Laden Biochar Composites Prepared from Eggshell and Peanut Shells: A Comparison of Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Vasileios A. Tzanakakis & Andrea G. Capodaglio & Andreas N. Angelakis, 2023. "Insights into Global Water Reuse Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-30, August.
    6. Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi, 2020. "An Integrated Industry-Based Methodology to Unlock Full-Scale Implementation of Phosphorus Recovery Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.

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