Effective phosphorus removal using transformed water hyacinth: Performance evaluation in fixed-bed columns and
Anyi Ramirez-Muñoz1,2, Elizabeth Flórez1, Raúl Ocampo-Perez3
1Grupo de Investigación Materiales con Impacto (Mat&mpac), Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Medellín, Medellín, Colombia.
Plos One
|November 21, 2024
Summary
Calcined water hyacinth (CWH) effectively removes phosphorus from wastewater via apatite formation in fixed-bed systems. This eco-friendly adsorbent shows promise for continuous water treatment and nutrient recycling applications.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Water hyacinth is a potential source of adsorbents due to its composition.
- Calcination at 650°C yields calcined water hyacinth (CWH) rich in metal oxides and hydroxides.
- CWH is explored as a sustainable adsorbent for phosphorus removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate CWH as an adsorbent in fixed-bed column systems for continuous phosphorus removal from wastewater.
- To investigate the influence of operational parameters on adsorption capacity and column performance.
- To assess the potential for nutrient recycling using exhausted CWH.
Main Methods:
- Fixed-bed column adsorption experiments were conducted using CWH processed at 650°C.
- Phosphorus removal was analyzed, and adsorption capacities were determined.
- Column performance was modeled using Thomas, Adams-Bohart, and Yoon-Nelson models.
- The Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model was applied to confirm system feasibility.
- Practical tests were performed on synthetic municipal wastewater.
Main Results:
- CWH effectively removed phosphorus through apatite formation.
- Adsorption capacity increased from 23.64 to 26.55 mg/g with reduced flow rate (1.5 to 0.5 mL/min).
- Maximum adsorption capacity for synthetic municipal wastewater was 5.20 mg/g.
- Increased adsorbent height improved column performance; higher flow rates reduced capacity.
- Modeling results confirmed the feasibility of CWH in continuous systems.
Conclusions:
- Calcined water hyacinth is a viable, eco-friendly adsorbent for phosphorus removal from wastewater.
- CWH demonstrates effectiveness in continuous flow systems, particularly for low phosphorus concentrations.
- Optimizing flow rate and adsorbent height enhances performance.
- Exhausted CWH offers potential for nutrient recycling as a soil amendment or fertilizer feedstock.
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