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Term Project Outline
Term Project Outline
CIV 1319 – Term Project Detailed Outline
Chemical Processes involved in the Removal of Phosphorus from Wastewater
Abstract
Motivation: Phosphorus occurs in natural waters from the weathering of rocks and mineral deposits,
water runoff, erosion, sedimentation, atmospheric deposition and wildlife deposits. Phosphorus is one
of the necessary elements for growth of living organisms including plants, animals and their ecosystems.
It is involved in the Kreb’s Cycle and DNA processes and is usually a growth limiting nutrient as one of
the key factors in controlling photosynthesis. In an aquatic environment with excess phosphorus, the
overstimulation of growth of plankton and aquatic plants causes an increase in this primary food source.
As this continues, an imbalance of the nutrient cycling process occurs. This overstimulation of an
ecosystem resulting in a reduced stability is called eutrophication. Problems resulting from
eutrophication include changes in lake water quality, periodic blooms of cyanobacteria, anoxic waters,
`and decreases in diversity, food supply and diversification of species. The increased human
perturbation of phosphorus into our natural waters is causing eutrophication which negatively affects
the well‐being of coastal waters. This is the motivation behind the necessity of the removal of
phosphorus from waste water before returning it to the natural system.
Scope: There are three main types of treatment technologies for the removal of phosphorus from
wastewater: physical, chemical and biological. Physical processes involve methods of filtration for
particulates and selective membranes for separation. Biological processes involve phosphate
accumulating organisms or incorporating the phosphorus into the growth of photosynthetic organisms
and removing the biomass before it decays and re‐releases the phosphorus back into the water.
Chemical processes involved in the removal of phosphorus form the scope of this project and involve
the removal of suspended solids by precipitation.
Detailed Outline
1) Introduction (300 words)
i) Background
ii) Motivation
iii) Scope
(The other methods for phosphorous removal will be briefly mentioned as alternative
solutions )
(1) Chemical Processes
(a) Direct precipitation method/Pre‐precipitation
(b) Simultaneous precipitation
(c) Post‐precipitation
(2) Physical Processes
(3) Biological Treatment Processes
2) Theory (400 words)
i) Chemistry: addition of metal salt to wastewater causing precipitation of an insoluble
phosphate
ii) Chemicals: iron, calcium, aluminum salts and their reactions
3) Design (700 words)
i) Detailed Process
(1) Direct precipitation method, phosphorus separated in single stage
ii) Process Considerations (factors affecting precipitation such as pH, temperature, cost,
alkalinity, dose, phosphorus concentration, mixing , sludge production)
(1) Side reactions
iii) Points of Addition
(1) High turbulence areas
(2) Flocculation facilities
4) Disposal of sludge (200 words)
i) Methods (incineration, landfill, agricultural utilization)
ii) Factors affecting composition and mass (chemical dose, phosphorus concentration, pH)
5) Equipment Requirements (100 words)
i) Basic components
ii) Factors affecting components (size of application, dosage rate, chemical choice, cost)
6) Modeling (200 words)
i) Seasonal variations in phosphorus loading occur. The months of June‐September notes
higher phosphorus loading due to increased insect activity and decreased dust. Human
perturbations can also change phosphorus loading. The evaluation of this range of
phosphorus loading will be done by MINEQL, PHREEQC or OLI Systems.
7) Cost (100 words)
i) Operating costs
ii) Capital costs
References
Online
Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater. Lenntech Water treatment & purification. 2009. Accessed 1
November 2010. Available at: <http://www.lenntech.com/phosphorous‐removal.htm>
“The Impact of phosphorus removal from wastewater.” Accessed 1 November 2010. Available at:
http://www.ceep-phosphates.org/Files/Document/63/p31-35.pdf
“Summary of phosphorus loading to Okanagan Lakes from Dustfall and Precipitation.” Province of British
Columbia. 28 January 1988. Accessed 1 November 2010. Available at:
<http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/studies/okphosphorusloading.pdf>
Text
Alexandria, Va. : Water Environment Federation, 1998. Biological and chemical systems for nutrient
removal : a special publication
G.K. Morse, J.N. Lester and R. Perry. London : Selper, 1993. The economic and environmental impact
of phosphorus removal from wastewater in the European Community
S. Brett ... [et al.]. London : Selper, 1997. Phosphorus removal and recovery technologies
Robert P. G. Bowker, H. David Stensel. Park Ridge, N.J., U.S.A. : Noyes Data Corp., c1990. Phosphorus
removal from wastewater
Journal Articles
Melkersson, K, and MELKERSSON. "Phosphorus in chemical and physical treatment processes." Water
research 7.1-2 (1973):145-158.
Extra:
http://www.kemira.com/en/solutionsproducts/municipalwater/Documents/SG‐MWT‐EN‐
WW_080305.pdf
http://www.water‐research.net/phosphate.htm