Work

Efficient nitrogen recovery from domestic wastewater through struvite precipitation: Optimizing process parameters and characterization analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Recovery of nitrogen from domestic wastewater through struvite precipitation enables the circular economy with revenue generation to treatment plants. Struvite formation factors (pH, magnesium mass, and reagent type) were investigated in the present study. Struvite is formed via a reaction involving NH 4 + -N, Mg, and P. Magnesium sources (MgCl 2 , MgSO 4 , MgO), pH (5–11), and magnesium mass (0.5–1.25 g) were identified using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal condition was pH 8.53 with 1.13 g MgO, resulting in 97.0 % NH 3 -N removal and 2.66 g struvite production. The quality of struvite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), indicating an irregular rod-shaped morphology, 12.2 nm crystalline size, and 98.9 % crystallinity. The findings highlight the necessity to enhance nitrogen recovery efficiency for large-scale wastewater treatment considering the future potential of struvite.

Source: Ain Shams Engineering Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.asej.2025.103760

Authors: Raghda Hamdi, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Mohd Hafizuddin Muhamad, Nur Aisyah Nazairi

Institutions: Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, National University of Malaysia

Language: English

Topic: Phosphorus and nutrient management

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200