Highly efficient phosphorus and potassium recovery from urine via crystallization process in a fluidized bed reactor system. Issue 4 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guan, Qian; Zeng, Guisheng; Song, Jiatian; Li, Yingpeng; Yang, Lixia; Wang, Zhongbing; Liu, Chunli
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 4(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Crystallization -- Fluidized bed reactor -- Phosphorus and potassium removal -- Urine treatment -- Process design; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105623
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: Human urine consists of large amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are essential chemical elements for living species and plants growth. In this study, we investigate the effects of reflux rate on crystallization promotion to simultaneously recover P and K from urine. The effects of potassium ion presence in the formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) in the fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is also studied. The largest removal efficiency of P at 96.57% and K at 68.40% can be achieved under the optimal conditions of: pH 9.5, P:Mg:N molar ratio of 1:1.4:1.2, and reflux rate of 12 L min –1 . The purity of produced MAP and magnesium potassium phosphate (MPP) are both promoted, owing to the improved formation frequency among particles, when reflux rate is increased. During the MAP production process, MgKPO4 is initially nucleation and growth under turbulence environmental in FBR. Afterwards, with the presence of NH4 + in solution, K + ion can be replaced by NH4 + and formed the MAP due to more stability of MgNH4 PO4 compound than MgKPO4 . The cost analysis demonstrates that FBR system can provide a profit of $2.01/m 3 on urine treatment. The investigation can shed lights on efficient removal and recovery process of P and K elements from urine through changing various reflux rates for further development. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Conducted removal and recovery of P and K elements from urine using FBR system. Removal efficiency of P and K in turn reached 96.57% and 68.40% at optimal conditions. Presence of K + in solution improved P recovery process. Purity of precipitates increased with reaction time, reaching to 98.84%. Fluidized bed rector system for treatment of urine can produce $2.01/m 3 -urine profit.