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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Phosphorous and nitrogen recovery from anaerobically digested sludge centrate: Evaluation of vivianite precipitation
Magdalena Cifuentes-Cabezas1, Rocío García-Lopez1, Alöis Cuvelier1
1Research Institute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety (ISIRYM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
Abstract:
Nutrient recovery, particularly phosphorus, has gained attention as a sustainable solution to environmental and resource challenges. Wastewater treatment plants are key phosphorus reservoirs, with significant amounts found in sludge. Anaerobically digested sludge centrate (ADSC), rich in both phosphorus and nitrogen, presents an opportunity for nutrient recovery. This study investigates phosphorus recovery from ADSC through precipitation as vivianite (Fe3(PO4)2·8H2O), a promising alternative to struvite. Key factors such as pH, Fe/P molar ratio, stirring conditions, anoxic atmosphere (constant and initial N2 injection), and ion interference were evaluated in a simulated solution. The results showed that both the Fe/P molar ratio and pH influenced vivianite formation, while stirring modes and an anoxic atmosphere provided optimal conditions for vivianite formation. An Fe/P ratio of 1.75 and a pH of 8 were selected as optimal conditions for vivianite formation. These conditions were applied to ADSC, along with an additional nitrogen recovery step using emerging membrane contactor technology. This membrane step was assessed before and after precipitation. It was observed that in both cases, recovery of both nutrients was achieved, showing more feasibility the process with nitrogen separation after vivianite precipitation. Although the presence of other precipitated minerals was detected by FESEM-EDX, vivianite formation was achieved in all cases. This study provides insight into effective strategies for sustainable nutrient recovery in ADSC streams.
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