Zn induced surface modification of stable goethite nanoparticles for improved regenerative phosphate adsorption

Iron oxide-based adsorbents showed potential to reach ultra-low phosphorus (P) concentrations to prevent eutrophication and recover P. High affinity, high capacity at low P concentrations (<1 mg L⁻¹), good stability, and reusability of the adsorbent are key factors for economic viability. In this study, nanoparticles of goethite...

Role of the composition of humic substances formed during thermal hydrolysis process on struvite precipitation in reject water from anaerobic digestion

Thermal hydrolysis process (THP) is a widely used pre-treatment method in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste municipal sewage sludge. A post AD dewatering step of the digestate produces a liquid stream called reject water. THP increases the concentration of humic substances (HSs) and nutrients in the produced reject water. Struvite...

Improving iron oxide-based adsorbents for phosphate recovery from surface water using Mössbauer spectroscopy as main analytical tool

This thesis focuses on recycling resources while preserving water quality and availability. This concept is at the basis of a healthy and sustainable society yet works needs to be done. Water scarcity will be a growing challenge that humanity will have to face in the coming years, due to poor resource management and the climate change crisis....

Effect of goethite doping using elements with different preferential oxidation states for improved reversible phosphate adsorption

Phosphorus (P) removal from freshwater bodies to ultra-low concentrations is fundamental to prevent eutrophication, while its recovery is necessary to close the P usage cycle. Iron oxide-based adsorbents seem promising candidates, being abundant, cheap, and easy to synthesize compounds, with good affinity for P. Affinity is the key parameter...

Sulfide induced phosphate release from iron phosphates and its potential for phosphate recovery

Sulfide is frequently suggested as a tool to release and recover phosphate from iron phosphate rich waste streams, such as sewage sludge, although systematic studies on mechanisms and efficiencies are missing. Batch experiments were conducted with different synthetic iron phosphates (purchased Fe(III)P, Fe(III)P synthesized in the lab and...

Phosphate recovery from wastewater via reversible adsorption

Eutrophication and the resulting formation of harmful algal blooms causes huge economic and environmental damages. Phosphorus (P) has been identified as a major limiting nutrient for eutrophication. Phosphorous concentration greater than 100 µg P/L is usually considered high enough for causing eutrophication. The strictest regulations however...

Ceramic Ultra- and Nanofiltration for Municipal Wastewater Reuse

During the last decade, water reuse has been widely recognized in many regions of the world. Fouling of ceramic membranes, especially hydraulically irreversible fouling, is a critical aspect affecting the operational cost and energy consumption in water treatment plants. In addition, the reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, that are often used for...