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Struvite Production from Dairy Processing Waste

Author

Listed:
  • Shane McIntosh

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Louise Hunt

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Emma Thompson Brewster

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Andrew Rose

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Aaron Thornton

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Dirk Erler

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

Abstract

Food security depends on sustainable phosphorus (P) fertilisers, which at present are mostly supplied from a finite rock phosphate source. Phosphate (PO 4 3− ) and ammonium (NH 4 + ) in dairy processing wastewater can be recovered as struvite (Mg + NH 4 + + PO 4 3− 6H 2 0), a nutrient rich mineral for fertiliser application. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the effects of, pH, temperature and Mg: PO 4 3− dosing rates on nutrient (PO 4 3− and NH 4 + ) removal and struvite precipitation from post anaerobic digested dairy processing wastewater, and (2) co-blend different dairy processing wastewaters to improve the reactant stoichiometry of NH 4 + and PO 4 3− for optimal struvite recovery and NH 4 + removal. Phosphate removal (>90%) and struvite production (>60%) was achieved across a range of synthesis conditions, and was significantly impacted by pH as determined by response surface modelling. A combination of disproportionate molar ratios of PO 4 3− and NH 4 + , presence of calcium and the apparent mineralisation of organic N, resulted in co-precipitation of hydroxyapatite and elevated levels of residual aqueous NH 4 + . In the second phase of this study, struvite was successfully precipitated and NH 4 + removal was improved (~17%) however, higher concentrations of calcium in the wastewater blends resulted in greater hydroxyapatite co-precipitation (up to 30%). While struvite was the desired product in this study the formation of multiple heterogenous P-rich products (struvite and hydroxyapatite) has the potential to improve P recovery from dairy processing wastewaters and produce a fertiliser blend with amenity and value in agricultural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Shane McIntosh & Louise Hunt & Emma Thompson Brewster & Andrew Rose & Aaron Thornton & Dirk Erler, 2022. "Struvite Production from Dairy Processing Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:23:p:15807-:d:986353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dana Cordell & Stuart White, 2011. "Peak Phosphorus: Clarifying the Key Issues of a Vigorous Debate about Long-Term Phosphorus Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(10), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Paul J. A. Withers & Donnacha G. Doody & Roger Sylvester-Bradley, 2018. "Achieving Sustainable Phosphorus Use in Food Systems through Circularisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, May.
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