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Potential for potassium recovery as K-struvite

Authors: Bennett, Aline Miriam;

Potential for potassium recovery as K-struvite

Abstract

Crystallization of NH₄-struvite (MgNH₄PO4:6H₂O) pellets has proven to be a successful method of recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewaters. Thus far, little work has been done on potassium recovery since it is not considered a water pollutant, nor do we face potassium shortages. However, potassium is an essential plant macronutrient and we are seeing worldwide imbalances in nutrient and fertilizer use, as well as a need for a slow release potassium fertilizer. Development of a full complement NPK fertilizer with NH₄-struvite and K-struvite components may have great potential. Given this, research into potassium recovery through crystallization of K-struvite (MgKPO₄: 6H₂O) is relevant and complements previous work done with NH₄-struvite. The goals of this research were to develop fundamental understanding of K-struvite formation as the first step to recovering potassium, and eventually produce a full complement NPK slow-release fertilizer from wastewaters. This required the determination of new solubility product values for K-struvite at different temperatures, followed by bench-scale experiments to assess K-struvite synthesis under various solution conditions. A model to simulate each batch experiment and to predict optimal supersaturation conditions for K-struvite precipitation was developed using PHREEQC, aqueous equilibrium modelling software. Finally, initial experiments in the UBC fluidized bed reactor (UBC-FBR) were undertaken to assess the pelletization potential of K-struvite. New solubility product values for K-struvite indicate that it is less soluble than previously reported, and the values determined at 10, 25 and 35°C fit the Van’t Hoff model. Optimal Mg:K:P molar ratio for synthesis of pure K-struvite was found to be approximately 3:50:1 in a wastewater matrix with pH 8, P-PO₄ concentration of 8 mM and a Mg:P ratio of 3:1. These concentrations were used in the UBC-FBR to assess the pelletization potential of K-struvite. These initial reactor runs were inconclusive due to an inability to stabilize the reactor without seeding. It would be recommended to seed the reactor during start-up in order to be able to compare process performance with the NH₄-struvite crystallization process in the UBC-FBR. This study showed that formation of pure K-struvite is possible given the right supersaturation conditions in solution, requiring high potassium concentrations.

Countries
Canada, Mexico, United States, Canada
Keywords

660

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
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