Effective removal of phosphorous from dairy wastewater by struvite precipitation: process optimization using response surface methodology and chemical equilibrium modeling
Addagada Lavanya, Ramesh Sri Krishnaperumal Thanga
Abstract
This study investigated precipitation of struvite from dairy wastewater. The results indicated that pH of the solution exhibited a significant effect on phosphate recovery and purity of struvite. Results showed that 95% of phosphate was recovered from solution at MgO:P molar ratio of 4:1 and pH 9.5. Furthermore, struvite precipitation was optimized using response surface methodology; Visual MINTEQ was used to identify the speciation and precipitation potential of solid phases at different pH. Economic evaluation study revealed that recovery of struvite from phosphorous rich wastewater considerably reduces the chemicals requirement and associated sludge transportation and disposal.
Topics & Concepts
StruviteChemistryWastewaterPrecipitationPhosphateResponse surface methodologySewage treatmentPhosphorusPulp and paper industryEnvironmental chemistryChromatographyEnvironmental engineeringEnvironmental scienceEngineeringPhysicsMeteorologyOrganic chemistryPhosphorus and nutrient management