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Phosphorus recovery from the sludge generated from a continuous bipolar mode electrocoagulation (CBME) system
M Damaraju1, H Yoshihara2, D Bhattacharyya1
1Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad, Telangana, 502285, India
Summary
Recovering phosphorus from wastewater sludge is crucial due to limited phosphate rock. This study shows high phosphorus recovery from electrocoagulation sludge using acid leaching after thermal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Resource Recovery
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Phosphorus is a finite, non-renewable resource essential for agriculture.
- Phosphate rock reserves are projected to be depleted within decades, necessitating alternative phosphorus sources.
- Wastewater treatment sludge contains recoverable phosphorus, offering a sustainable alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phosphorus recovery from sludge generated by continuous bipolar mode electrocoagulation (CBME) of palm oil mill effluent (POME).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of oxalic acid and sulfuric acid leaching, with and without thermal treatment, for phosphorus recovery.
- To optimize operational conditions for maximizing phosphorus yield from the sludge.
Main Methods:
- Sludge from CBME treatment of POME was subjected to thermal treatment (combustion at 900 °C).
- Leaching experiments were conducted using oxalic acid and sulfuric acid at various time intervals and liquid/solid (L/S) ratios.
- Phosphorus recovery efficiency was analyzed, and statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of operational parameters.
Main Results:
- The CBME system effectively removed 73% of phosphorus from POME, precipitating it as iron phosphates or adsorbed phosphates in the sludge.
- Acid leaching with both sulfuric acid and oxalic acid achieved nearly 85% phosphorus recovery from thermally treated sludge (combusted at 900 °C).
- Statistical analysis identified significant operational conditions influencing phosphorus yield.
Conclusions:
- Thermal treatment followed by acid leaching is a viable method for recovering significant amounts of phosphorus from POME sludge.
- Recovered orthophosphates can serve as a valuable raw material for synthesizing chemical fertilizers, contributing to phosphorus circular economy.
- This approach offers a sustainable solution for phosphorus resource management and waste valorization.
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