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Updated: Feb 5, 2026
10:49
Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
Published on: March 6, 2014
17.8K
Phosphorus Recovery by Methods Beyond Struvite Precipitation
Summary
Recovering phosphorus as calcium phosphate from water resource recovery facilities offers a cost-effective alternative to struvite recovery. This method provides valuable fertilizer feedstock and industrial materials, addressing phosphorus scarcity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Resource Recovery
Background:
- Unintentional phosphate precipitation in water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) creates operational issues.
- Global phosphorus scarcity and eutrophication from P discharge necessitate P recovery strategies.
- Current P recovery often focuses on struvite, which may not always be cost-effective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of calcium phosphate recovery as an alternative to struvite recovery.
- To evaluate calcium phosphate as a fertilizer feedstock and for industrial applications.
- To propose a strategic approach for regional reclaimed phosphate reserves.
Main Methods:
- State-of-the-art review of phosphorus recovery technologies.
- Analysis of cost-effectiveness for calcium phosphate versus struvite recovery.
- Assessment of calcium phosphate's suitability for fertilizer and industrial use.
Main Results:
- Calcium phosphate recovery can be more cost-effective than struvite recovery, especially when fertilizer prices are low.
- Calcium phosphate offers broader industrial applications due to its similarity to mined phosphate rock.
- A strategic approach can secure economical future phosphorus supplies.
Conclusions:
- Calcium phosphate recovery presents a viable and potentially more economical alternative for phosphorus recovery at WRRFs.
- This approach contributes to resource circularity and addresses phosphorus scarcity.
- Developing regional reclaimed phosphate reserves is crucial for sustainable phosphorus management.
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