Reverse osmosis brine for phosphorus recovery from source separated urine
Xiujun Tian1, Guotian Wang2, Detian Guan1
1Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.
Chemosphere
|September 23, 2016
Summary
Recovering phosphorus (P) from urine is crucial for sustainability. Reverse osmosis (RO) brine effectively precipitates P from urine, offering a low-cost solution for urban P recovery.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Sustainable Resource Management
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) is a non-renewable resource essential for agriculture and industry.
- Sustainable P recovery from waste streams is critical to ensure future supply.
- Urine is a significant source of P in urban wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using reverse osmosis (RO) brine as a precipitant for P recovery from source-separated urine.
- To investigate P removal efficiency, process parameters, and precipitate properties.
- To assess the potential of RO brine as a sustainable and cost-effective P recovery agent.
Main Methods:
- Batch and continuous flow experiments were conducted to test P removal from fresh and hydrolyzed urine using RO brine.
- P removal efficiency, precipitate composition (P, Ca, Mg, N), and process parameters (pH, retention time) were analyzed.
- The precipitation tendency of RO brine was compared to tap water for potential use as flush water.
Main Results:
- Over 90% P removal was achieved from both urine types by mixing with RO brine (1:1, v/v) at pH > 9.0.
- Precipitates recovered contained 8.1-19.0% P, 10.3-15.2% Ca, 3.7-5.0% Mg, and 0.1-3.5% ammonium nitrogen.
- Continuous flow reactors achieved satisfactory P removal with a 3-6 hour hydraulic retention time.
Conclusions:
- RO brine is an effective, low-cost precipitant for P recovery from urine, yielding valuable nutrient-rich solids.
- RO brine can be safely used as urinal and toilet flush water, further enhancing its utility.
- This method presents a viable and economically attractive approach for urban P recovery, contributing to resource sustainability.
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