A new phosphate-selective sorbent for the Rem Nut process. Laboratory investigation and field experience at a medium size wastewater treatment plant

Water Sci Technol. 2003;48(1):179-84.

Abstract

P-control technologies for municipal wastewater are essentially based on "destructive" methods, that lead to formation of concentrated solid-phases (sludge), usually disposed-off in controlled landfills. Ion exchange, as a "non-destructive" technology, allows for selective removal and simultaneous recovery of pollutants, which can be recycled to the same and/or related productive lines. In this context, the REM NUT process removes nutrient species (HPO4 = , NH4+, K+) present in biologically oxidised municipal effluents and recovers them in the form of struvites (MgNH4PO4; MgKPO4), premium quality slow release fertilisers. The main limitation to the extensive application of this ion exchange based process is the non-availability of selective exchangers for specific removal of nutrient species. This paper illustrates laboratory investigation and pilot scale development of a so-called "P-driven" modified REM NUT scheme based on a new phosphate-selective sorbent developed at Lehigh University, PA, USA.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Fertilizers
  • Magnesium Compounds / chemistry
  • Phosphates / chemistry
  • Phosphates / isolation & purification
  • Phosphorus / isolation & purification*
  • Sewage / chemistry
  • Struvite
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Magnesium Compounds
  • Phosphates
  • Sewage
  • Phosphorus
  • Struvite