Phosphorus recovery from wastewater sludges by acid and alkaline leaching
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The study focuses on the recovery of phosphorus from municipal wastewater sludge as a sustainable alternative to conventional phosphorus resources, which are non-renewable and expected to become increasingly scarce. Since phosphorus is essential for food production and many industrial applications, wastewater sludge represents a promising secondary source for its recovery.
The research examines why phosphorus recovery through wet-chemical leaching can produce inconsistent results, especially in sludges treated with iron. Different sludge materials were tested under acidic and alkaline conditions to identify the most effective methods for dissolving and recovering phosphorus.
The results show that alkaline treatment was more effective for digester feed and dewatered sludge, while acid treatment performed better for digested sludge and liquid from dewatering. The differences are linked to variations in organic and inorganic matter content and the chemical form in which phosphorus is present.
The study also evaluates the potential for struvite production, a valuable phosphorus-containing fertilizer, and identifies digested and dewatered sludge as promising feedstocks. Overall, the research contributes to the development of more efficient phosphorus recovery strategies and highlights the need for better characterization of phosphorus, iron and sulphur interactions in wastewater treatment systems.
Read Publication: Phosphorus recovery from wastewater sludges by acid and alkaline leaching | Zenodo