A novel post denitrification configuration for phosphorus recovery using polyphosphate accumulating organisms
Pan Yu Wong1, Ka Yu Cheng, Anna H Kaksonen
1CSIRO Land and Water, Private Bag No. 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia; School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
Water Research
|September 18, 2013
Summary
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal and recovery (EBPR-r) recovers phosphorus from wastewater. This novel post-denitrification method concentrates phosphorus, enabling efficient recovery and reuse.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a key wastewater treatment process.
- Current EBPR methods focus on phosphorus removal but not recovery.
- Nitrogen removal is often coupled with phosphorus removal in advanced wastewater treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel enhanced biological phosphorus removal and recovery (EBPR-r) process.
- To investigate the feasibility of recovering phosphorus from wastewater using a modified EBPR approach.
- To evaluate the efficiency of phosphorus recovery and simultaneous nitrogen removal.
Main Methods:
- A two-step process involving phosphorus accumulation and release by phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs).
- Utilized a post-denitrification configuration with PAO biofilms.
- Employed anaerobic conditions with an external carbon source for phosphorus release and recovery.
Main Results:
- The EBPR-r process achieved a four-fold concentration of phosphorus in the recovery stream (28 mg-P/L from 7 mg-P/L).
- Repeated cycles of uptake and release resulted in up to 100 mg-P/L phosphorus concentration.
- Simultaneously achieved nitrate removal (denitrification) from the wastewater stream.
Conclusions:
- EBPR-r is the first post-denitrification strategy enabling phosphorus recovery during secondary wastewater treatment.
- The process offers a sustainable approach for phosphorus recovery and nutrient management.
- This method enhances the circular economy by recovering valuable phosphorus resources from wastewater.
Keywords:
Denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organismsEnhanced biological phosphorus removalPhosphorus recoveryPhosphorus removalPolyphosphate accumulating organismsPost denitrificationWastewater treatmentMore Related Videos
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