SGER: A Novel Physico-chemical Process for Wastewater Nutrient Removal with Simultaneous Extraction of N/P Fertilizer

University Of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, North Dartmouth MA

Investigators

Abstract

0122577 Sengupta The objective of this research is to develop a physico-chemical process that has the potential of meeting the twin objectives of nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater and generation of a high-quality fertilizer. In this process, a potential gradient is applied perpendicular to the flow of a continuous reactor and three different ion-exchangers are placed at appropriate electrodes. These different ion-exchangers are selective for ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate ions. The specific objectives of this research include: (1) correlation of the potential gradient, electrode distance, and the pH profile for efficient operation, (2) a study of the effects of background constituents (competing ions) and electrode material on process efficiency, (3) a study of ion-exchanger fouling and regeneration, and (4) quantification of process performance by mathematical modeling of the system with process parameters and solution chemistry as input variables. ***