Dewatering of phosphorus extracted from liquid swine waste

Bioresour Technol. 2006 Jan;97(1):183-90. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2005.02.001. Epub 2005 Mar 29.

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) recovery from liquid swine manure is an attractive technology when on-farm application of liquid swine manure is not an option. We developed a technology that enables separation of this P, but its high moisture content makes transportation difficult. In this work, we investigated dewatering procedures to concentrate the P product. Sludge rich in calcium phosphate (> 20% P2O5) was obtained using a field prototype, and it was further dewatered using a combination of polymer treatment and filter bags. Anionic polyacrylamide polymer treatment (> or = 20 mg/L) was effective to flocculate the P-rich sludge, which enhanced filtration and dewatering. Without polymer, filtration was incomplete due to clogging of filters. Non-woven polypropylene and monofilament filter bag fabrics with mesh size < or = 200 microm retained > 99% of suspended solids and total P. Solids content dramatically increased from about 1.5% to > 90%. These dewatered solids can be transported more economically off the farm for use as a valuable fertilizer material.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Animals
  • Anions
  • Filtration / methods
  • Kinetics
  • Phosphorus / isolation & purification*
  • Sewage / chemistry*
  • Swine
  • Waste Management / methods*

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Anions
  • Sewage
  • Phosphorus
  • polyacrylamide