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Effect of Seeding Materials and Mixing Strength on Struvite Precipitation
Author(s) -
Wang Jun,
Burken Joel G.,
Zhang Xiaoqi Jackie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143005x89580
Subject(s) - struvite , seeding , precipitation , mixing (physics) , sedimentation , phosphorus , materials science , wastewater , seed crystal , fertilizer , crystal (programming language) , flocculation , chemical engineering , chemistry , mineralogy , pulp and paper industry , environmental engineering , environmental science , metallurgy , agronomy , sediment , geology , single crystal , meteorology , computer science , engineering , biology , paleontology , quantum mechanics , programming language , physics , organic chemistry , crystallography
Struvite precipitation has increasing interest as a technology for removing and recovering phosphorus from wastewater streams. Many chemical factors have been studied, such as optimum pH values and component‐ion molar ratios, yet, understanding of physical aspects is lacking. Two physical parameters were tested: (1) seeding material addition and (2) mixing. Objectives were to evaluate three seeding materials and to optimize mixing conditions for struvite‐crystal precipitation, growth, and subsequent sedimentation. Results confirm that mixing strength and proper seeding materials increase crystal size and improve settleability. For unseeded solutions, optimum phosphorus removal was achieved at a mixing strength of G = 76 s −1 . Struvite crystals that were added as the seeding material provided the best performance with respect to phosphorus removal and crystal‐size distribution. Overall, this study provided information to improve the practical application of struvite precipitation as a phosphorous‐treatment technology for wastewaters, while generating a marketable slow‐release fertilizer as a product.