Fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation for potassium and phosphorus recovery: K-struvite release kinetics and economic analysis

Abstract

Background: The last few decades have seen the critical role of global cattle industry in agricultural development. However, while giving prosperity and significant benefits to the countryside, the industry also produces wastewater streams, that cause eutrophication in water bodies. The streams, if treated effectively, could act as a valuable nonconventional water source to help address the global freshwater crisis. Moreover, resources recovered from these wastewater streams, e.g., potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), could be converted to valuable commodities such as fertilizers. We, therefore, propose to use a continuous K–struvite granulation process as an effective method for the treatment of swine wastewater (SW) and recovery of K–struvite. Results show that the P and K were efficiently removed and that wastewater-derived K–struvite is a promising green chemistry agent for a slow–release, reinforcing a promising pathway to global P and K conservation. Methods: The fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation (FBHG) has recently emerged as an advanced metal recovery technology with high efficiencies for several metals and low moisture products. Based on the principle of chemical precipitation, FBHG technology requires less chemicals while producing insignificant amounts of sludge, thereby alleviating burden on sludge management often encountered in conventional chemical precipitation and others. Significant findings: Herein, we investigate the potential use of FBHG technology for simultaneous recovering K and P while treating swine wastewater. The recovered products are in the form of K–struvite pellets having a studded quasi-spherical form with a rough surface and sharp spikes that resemble sea urchins. The pellets are almost free of heavy metals, which make them promising candidates for use as fertilizer without significant harm. We observed that the release of K was faster than that of P. The formation, size, morphology, purity, and crushing strength of the pellets greatly affected the up-flow velocity value condition. The FBHG could potentially be scaled up for more extensive nutrient recovery.