Use of waste marble powder for the synthesis of novel calcium-rich biochar: Characterization and application for phosphorus recovery in continuous stirring tank reactors

Salah Jellali; Besma Khiari; Maram Al-Balushi; Jamal Al-Sabahi; Helmi Hamdi; Zohra Bengharez; Mohammed Al-Abri; Hamed Al-Nadabi; Mejdi Jeguirim

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119926

Use of waste marble powder for the synthesis of novel calcium-rich biochar: Characterization and application for phosphorus recovery in continuous stirring tank reactors

J Environ Manage. 2024 Feb:351:119926. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119926. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Authors

Salah Jellali¹, Besma Khiari², Maram Al-Balushi³, Jamal Al-Sabahi⁴, Helmi Hamdi⁵, Zohra Bengharez⁶, Mohammed Al-Abri⁷, Hamed Al-Nadabi³, Mejdi Jeguirim⁸

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Al-Khoud 123, Oman. Electronic address: s.jelali@squ.edu.om.
² Water Research and Technologies Centre, Echo-park of Borj Cedria, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
³ Centre for Environmental Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Al-Khoud 123, Oman.
⁴ College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Al-Khoud 123, Oman.
⁵ Food, Water and Waste Sustainability Program, Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
⁶ Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Physicochemistry for Environment and Health, Djillali Liabes University, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria.
⁷ Nanotechnology Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Oman; Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Oman.
⁸ The Institute of Materials Science of Mulhouse (IS2M), University of Haute Alsace, University of Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7361, F-68100 Mulhouse, France.

PMID: 38154226
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119926

Abstract

This study investigates-for the first time-the synthesis of a novel Ca-rich biochar (N-Ca-B) and its potential use for phosphorus (P) recovery from both synthetic solutions (SS) and treated urban wastewater (TUW) in a continuous stirring tank reactor (CSTR) mode. The novel biochar was synthesized by pyrolysis at 900 °C of a mixture composed of three different materials: animal biomass (poultry manure; PM), lignocellulosic waste (date palm fronds; DPFs), and abundant mineral waste (waste marble powder; WMP). Characterization of N-Ca-B showed that it has good textural properties: well-developed porosity, and high specific surface area. Furthermore, high calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and calcium oxides (CaO) nanoparticle loads were observed on the biochar surface. The dynamic CSTR assays indicated that the P recovery efficiency mainly depended on the biochar mass, P influent concentration, and, especially, the Ca content of the feeding solution. Owing to its richness in Ca cations, TUW exhibited the highest adsorbed P amount (109.2 mg g^-1), i.e., about 14% larger than the SS. P recovery occurs through precipitation as hydroxyapatite, surface complexation, and electrostatic interactions with positively charged biochar particles. In real-world scenarios, CSTR systems can be applied as a tertiary treatment step in existing wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Decanted P-loaded biochar can be used in agriculture as a slow-release fertilizer instead of commercial products.

Keywords: CSTR; Calcium-rich biochar; Nutrients; Precipitation; Recovery.

MeSH terms

Animals
Calcium Carbonate*
Calcium*
Charcoal
Phosphorus
Powders
Wastewater

Substances

biochar
Calcium
Calcium Carbonate
Phosphorus
Powders
Charcoal
Wastewater