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A novel Fe(II)-Ca synergistic phosphorus removal process: process optimization and phosphorus recovery

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Abstract

Phosphorus removal from wastewater is an important means to control eutrophication and to recover phosphorus from wastewater. In this study, a novel Fe(II)-Ca synergistic phosphorus removal process is developed using the complex of ferrous and calcium salts. The results showed that ferrous and calcium had an antagonistic effect at Fe(II)/Ca molar ratio of lower than 1:4, but a synergistic effect at Fe(II)/Ca molar ratio of higher than 1:4, with the strongest synergistic effect at Fe(II)/Ca molar ratio of 7:3. The optimal parameters of this novel process were as follows: Fe(II)/Ca = 3:1, ferrous-calcium complex/phosphorous (M/P) ≥ 1.5:1, pH = 7.0–8.0, and fast mixing speed (FMS) = 100–150 rpm. The cost of phosphorus removal agents was US$1.024 (kg P)−1, reduced by 30.39% compared with that of the traditional phosphorus removal process. The phosphorus content (by P2O5) in the precipitate produced in the new process was 32.70%, which had a high recycling value.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51278457), Major Scientific and Technological Specialized Project of Zhejiang Province (No.2015C03013), and Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China (51608474).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, No. 866, Yuhangtang Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

    Lin Qiu, Meng Zhang, Xiaoqing Yu & Ping Zheng

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  1. Lin Qiu
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  2. Meng Zhang
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  3. Xiaoqing Yu
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  4. Ping Zheng
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Correspondence to Ping Zheng.

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Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

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Qiu, L., Zhang, M., Yu, X. et al. A novel Fe(II)-Ca synergistic phosphorus removal process: process optimization and phosphorus recovery. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 1543–1550 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0183-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0183-z

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