Environmental sustainability of municipal wastewater treatment through struvite precipitation: Influence of operational parameters

Mavhungu, Avhafunani; Foteinis, Spyros; Mbaya, Richard; Masindi, Vhahangwele; Kortidis, Ioannis; Mpenyana-Monyatsi, Lizzy; Chatzisymeon, Efthalia

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124856

Cited by 38 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The predominance of the elements is dependent on the weathered mineral. For instance, the oxidation of pyrite would lead to AMD that is rich in Fe and SO 4 2− , whereas the weathering of arsenopyrite will lead to the formation of AMD rich in As, Fe and SO 4 2− [6,10,[13][14][15][16][17]. A similar trend applies for the weathering of other acid-forming sulphide bearing minerals [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…The quest to minimise ecological footprints of wastewater treatment has been ameliorated by the emergence of circular economy in wastewater treatment [1,2]. This concept includes the treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation of wastewater prior to them being discharged to different receiving environments [2][3][4][5]. In light of that, research studies seek prudent ways to address the issue of mineral recovery from wastewater although the quest is still ongoing [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

et al. 2021

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The concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment has recently attracted immense interest and this is primarily fueled by the ever-growing interest to minimise ecological footprints of mining activities and metallurgical processes. In light of that, countries such as the Republic of South Africa, China, Australia, and the United States are at the forefront of water pollution due to the generation of notorious acid mine drainage (AMD). The disposal of AMD to different receiving environments constitutes a severe threat to the receiving ecosystem thus calling for prudent intervention to redress the prevailing challenges. Recent research emphasises the employment of wastewater treatment, beneficiation and valorisation. Herein, the techno-economic evaluation of the reclamation of clean water and valuable minerals from AMD using the Magnesite Softening and Reverse Osmosis (MASRO) process was reported. The total capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the plant is ZAR 452,000 (USD 31,103.22) which includes ZAR 110,000 (USD 7569.37) for civil works on a plant area of 100 m2. The operational expenditure (OPEX) for the pilot is 16,550,000 ZAR (South African Rand) or USD 1,138,845.72 in present value terms (10 years plant life). The plant reclaimed drinking water as specified in different water quality standards, guidelines, and specifications, including Fe-based minerals (goethite, magnetite, and hematite), Mg-gypsum, and calcium carbonate. These minerals were verified using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The recovered valuables will be sold at ZAR 368/kL (USD 25.32), ZAR 1100/t (USD 75.69), and ZAR 2000/t (USD 137.62) for water, gypsum, and limestone, respectively. The project has an NPV of ZAR 60,000 (USD 4128.75) at an IRR of 26%. The payback period for this investment will take 3 years. The total power consumption per day was recorded to be 146.6 kWh, and 103,288 kWh/annum. In conclusion, findings of this work will significantly contribute to improving the sustainability of the mining sector by proposing economically feasible solutions for wastewater streams treatment, beneficiation, and valorisation.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

et al. 2021

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“…The raw cryptocrystalline magnesite activation process, along with the main characteristics of the activated cryptocrystalline magnesite can be found in [1]. The conditions that optimize struvite synthesis, both in terms of pollutants removal and environmental sustainability, were adopted using the results of previous works of our group [1,20]. Specifically, struvite was synthesized at 30 minutes of equilibration time, using a 0.5 g calcined magnesite to 500 mL wastewater ratio (i.e.…”

Section: Synthesis Of Struvitementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This pilot study examines the performance of an actual struvite recovery system, scaled up at village-level and operating under the South African setting. Noteworthy, previous works focused on optimization of the operational parameters [1,20], which were used for the sustainable and effective operation of this pilot unit. Furthermore, it was identified that ammonia removal was dependent on phosphate and magnesium concentration, with decreasing phosphate concertation largely affecting the system's efficacy in terms of ammonia removal [1].In light of that, a fixed system under optimised conditions, which will yield high efficacy for ammonia removal, was examined as will be demonstrated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advocating circular economy in wastewater treatment: Struvite formation and drinking water reclamation from real municipal effluents

Mavhungu

Masindi

Foteinis

et al. 2020

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

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In this pilot study, the circular economy concept in wastewater treatment was examined, through a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) process where struvite was recovered and drinking water was reclaimed. A stage wise approach was used for struvite formation and the subsequent reclamation of drinking water. Specifically, the early stages of treatment entail the synthesis of struvite via the chemical precipitation of nutrients (phosphate and ammonia), using thermally activated cryptocrystalline magnesite. Thence, reverse osmosis (RO) was employed for drinking water reclamation. With this dual approach, 3.5 m 3 of municipal wastewater were successfully treated at a pilot plant in South Africa, producing ~52.5 kg of struvite and ~3.4 m 3 of drinking water. The operating parameters were 30 min of residence time, 0.5 g : 500 mL solid to liquid (S/L) ratio, using ambient temperature and pH. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) coupled with electron dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the synthesis of struvite and the presence of notable Mg/P ratios. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) further ascertained the obtained results. Moreover, it was identified that the reclaimed water meets the South African National Standard (SANS) 241 and the world health organisation (WHO) standards for drinking water. An economic analysis revealed the viability of the process, suggesting that the system could be self-sustainable. Therefore, the results of this work indicate that introducing the concept of circular economy in wastewater treatment can promote the sustainable management of the ever-increasing quantities of municipal wastewater and at the same time address problems of emerging concern, such as water scarcity and phosphate shortage.

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“…To address this global challenge, water scientists have constantly searched for new technologies that could be implemented in wastewater treatment operations. Various water technologies have been tested such as membrane filtrations [3], precipitation [4], and advanced oxidation process [5]. On the basis of economical, eco-friendly, and treatment performance, adsorption represents one of the most promising options to remove As from contaminated wastewater [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment of As(III)-Laden Contaminated Water Using Iron-Coated Carbon Fiber

Kurniawan

Gui³

et al. 2022

Materials

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This work presents the fabrication, characterization, and application of iron-coated carbon fiber (Fe@CF), synthesized in a facile in situ iron reduction, for As(III) removal from an aqueous solution. The physico-chemical properties of the composite were characterized using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Adsorption studies were evaluated in batch experiments with respect to reaction time, the dose of adsorbent, As(III) initial concentration, pH, and co-existing ions. The results showed that the BET surface area and pore volume of Fe@CF slightly decreased after Fe coating, while its pore size remained, while the SEM and XRD analyses demonstrated that the Fe was successfully anchored on the CF. A maximum As(III) adsorption of 95% was achieved with an initial As concentration of 1.5 mg/L at optimum conditions (30 min of reaction time, 1 g/L of dose, 1 mg/L of As(III) concentration, and pH 3.5). Since the treated effluents could not meet the strict discharge standard of ≤10 μg/L set by the World Health Organization (WHO), a longer reaction time is required to complete the removal of remaining As(III) in the wastewater effluents. As compared to the other adsorbents reported previously, the Fe@CF composite has the highest As(III) removal. Overall, the findings suggested that the use of Fe@CF as an adsorbent is promising for effective remediation in the aquatic environment.

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Environmental sustainability of municipal wastewater treatment through struvite precipitation: Influence of operational parameters

Cited by 38 publications

References 34 publications

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Reclamation of Drinking Water and Valuable Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage

Advocating circular economy in wastewater treatment: Struvite formation and drinking water reclamation from real municipal effluents

Treatment of As(III)-Laden Contaminated Water Using Iron-Coated Carbon Fiber

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