Acidification and alkali precipitation for phosphorus recovery from municipal digested sludge


Seckin İ. Y., Altiner M., Kayranlı B., Yilmaz T.

Water and Environment Journal, vol.1, no.38, pp.259-268, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 1 Issue: 38
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/wej.12915
  • Journal Name: Water and Environment Journal
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), CAB Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.259-268
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Municipal digested sludge (MDS) has considerable phosphorus content that is between 1% and 15% in dry matter and it is a potential source for phosphorus recovery. A high amount of MDS is generated from sewage treatment plants in large cities and has many environmental concerns with its organic and inorganic constituents. In this study, phosphorus was recovered by precipitation with Ca(OH)2 and NaOH. Acid pretreatment was applied to MDS with H2SO4 and 58.7% of phosphorus was extracted from the solid phase to the liquid phase at pH 2. Up to 99% of dissolved phosphorus in the liquid phase was recovered with Ca(OH)2 and NaOH. Almost similar phosphorus precipitation rates were achieved with both bases but higher phosphorus contents (17% as P2O5) in precipitates were obtained by NaOH. The product obtained in this study can serve as a high-quality raw material substitute for the low-grade phosphate rocks (<15% P2O5) commonly utilized in the phosphate industry. Furthermore, this research presents a practical, environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach for sustainable sludge management and phosphorus production.