Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
31
Phosphorous Removal and Recovery
Using Nan
otechnology
J. Richard Schorr,
1
Suvankar Sengupta,
1
Rao Revur,
1
Richard Helferich,
1
and Steve Safferman
2
1
MetaMateria Technologies LLC, Columbus, Ohio, USA
2
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan
State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
CONTENTS
31.1 Problem ............................................................................................................................... 627
31.2 Phosphorous Removal Technologies .............................................................................. 629
31.2.1 Chemical Precipitation .......................................................................................... 630
31.2.2 Sorption of Phosphorous ...................................................................................... 630
31.2.3 Mechanisms for Sorption of Phosphorus ........................................................... 632
31.2.3.1 Aluminum- and Iron-Containing Media ............................................ 632
31.2.3.2 Calcium-Rich Media ............................................................................... 633
31.2.4 Biological Treatment to Remove Phosphorus .................................................... 633
31.3 Nanotechnology ................................................................................................................. 634
31.4
MetaMateria Approach to Phosphorus Removal .......................................................... 635
31.4.1 Novel Porous Ceramic Composite ....................................................................... 635
31.4.2 Nanomodiication .................................................................................................. 636
31.4.3 Media Performance ............................................................................................... 637
31.4.3.1 Long-Term Testing with Actual Septic Tank Discharge.................... 638
31.4.3.2 Key Factors in Using Media in System ................................................ 639
31.4.4 System Design Approaches .................................................................................. 640
31.4.5 Media Regeneration and Reuse ........................................................................... 640
31.5 Phosphorus Recovery ........................................................................................................ 641
31.6 Economics of Phosphorus Removal ................................................................................642
31.7 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 643
Acknowledgment ........................................................................................................................644
References .....................................................................................................................................644
31.1 Problem
Clean water is recognized as an important and growing priority and is seen as a major
challenge worldwide because potable water is being used faster than it is replenished.
Phosphorus in surface water is one of the most common causes of impairment. In addi-
tion to eutrophication, a more recent impact is the growth of cyanobacteria (blue green or
toxic algae; Figure 31.1). The impact to ecological health and economic loss due to reduced
627
