Issue 10, 2024

Glycine-assisted phosphorus release and recovery from waste-activated sludge

Abstract

This study reports a sustainable and green method for phosphorus (P) extraction and recovery from waste activated sludge (WAS) using glycine as a P-extraction agent. Glycine showed an extraordinary ability to induce P release from waste-activated sludge at a rate of 8.7 mg P per L per h without being consumed. The P-extraction rate was linearly related to the mixed liquor suspended solid concentration and was not affected by the temperature in the range of 25–35 °C. After extraction, the released P was recovered via calcium precipitation, resulting in high P-content (48%, as phosphate) products (dominated by amorphous calcium phosphate). An unparallel advantage of the method is the high recyclability of glycine. Repetitive experiments showed <10% glycine loss over four P-extraction–P-recovery–glycine-reuse cycles. Additionally, extremely low heavy metal contents were observed in the P-recovery products in comparison to the acid/alkali-assisted P extraction, indicating its environmental friendliness as a sustainable strategy for P recovery from WAS.

Graphical abstract: Glycine-assisted phosphorus release and recovery from waste-activated sludge

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Feb 2024
Accepted
01 Aug 2024
First published
28 Aug 2024

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024,10, 2406-2417

Glycine-assisted phosphorus release and recovery from waste-activated sludge

S. Cen, Y. Zou, H. Chen, X. Deng, F. Huang, L. Chen, L. Li, T. Jin, C. Wei, L. Nengzi and G. Qiu, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024, 10, 2406 DOI: 10.1039/D4EW00158C

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