Crystallization kinetics and growth of struvite crystals by seawater versus magnesium chloride as magnesium source: towards enhancing sustainability and economics of struvite crystallization


Shaddel S., Grini T., Andreassen J., Osterhus S. W., Ucar Ş.

CHEMOSPHERE, vol.256, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 256
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126968
  • Journal Name: CHEMOSPHERE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, Greenfile, MEDLINE, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Struvite, Crystal growth, Kinetics, Seawater, Phosphorus recovery, SWINE WASTE-WATER, PHOSPHORUS RECOVERY, PRECIPITATION, CALCIUM, PH, CONCENTRATE, DISSOLUTION, REMOVAL
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The recycling of nutrients from wastewater and their recovery in the form of valuable products is an effective strategy to accelerate the circular economy concept. Phosphorus recovery from wastewater by struvite crystallization (MgNH4PO4 center dot 6H(2)O) is one of the most applied techniques to compensate for the increasing demand and to slow down the depletion rate of phosphate rocks. Using low-cost magnesium sources, such as seawater, improves the financial sustainability of struvite production. In this study, the potential of seawater for struvite crystallization versus the commonly used magnesium source, MgCl2, was tested by crystal growth and kinetic experiments. The impact of ammonium concentration, magnesium concentration and pH on the growth kinetics of struvite in synthetic and real reject water were studied. The results showed that simultaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate was insignificant when using seawater, while presence of struvite seeds diminished it further. Among the supersaturation regulators, pH had the most significant effect on the struvite growth with both MgCl2 and seawater, while high N:P molar ratios further improved the struvite crystal growth by seawater. The N:P molar ratios higher than 6 and Mg:P molar ratios higher than 0.2 are recommended to improve the crystal growth kinetics. It was concluded that seawater is a promising alternative magnesium source and the control of supersaturation regulators (i.e., Mg:P, N:P and pH) is an effective strategy to control the reaction kinetics and product properties. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.