Phosphorus Removal

Unit Chemical Processes

Introduction
Many of the substances found in wastewater are not affected or are little affected
by conventional treatment operations and processes. These substances range
from relatively simple inorganic ions, such as calcium, potassium, sulfate, nitrate
and phosphate to an ever increasing number of highly complex synthetic organic
compounds.
Introduction
The need for treatment of wastewater beyond that which can normally be accomplished
in secondary treatment is based on the recognition of one or more of the following:
1. Increasing population pressures result in increasing loads of organic matter and
suspended solids to rivers, streams, and lakes.
2. The need to increase the removal of suspended solids to provide more efficient
disinfection.
3. The need to remove nutrients to limit eutrophication of sensitive water bodies.
4. The need to remove constituents that preclude or inhibit water reclamation.
Introduction
Initially, in the 1970s, these processes were called “advanced wastewater
treatment” because they employed techniques that were more advanced than
secondary treatment methods.
In the last three decades many of these technologies have either been directly
incorporated into the secondary processes, for example nutrient removal, or they
are so inherent in meeting stringent discharge standards that they have become
conventional.
These processes include chemical precipitation, granular filtration, membrane
filtration, and carbon adsorption. As conventional processes, they are better
termed tertiary treatment processes.
Introduction
In current practice, the employment of air stripping, ion exchange, NF or RO
treatment, and other similar processes to meet water quality requirements is
correctly termed advanced wastewater treatment.

Advanced wastewater treatment technologies are, fundamentally, those employed

to treat water for reuse.
Phosphorus removal methods
Before the development of biological phosphorus removal (BPR) technology,
chemical precipitation was the primary means of removing phosphorus.
In many cases, it is still the only practical method of achieving standards because
of space or economic constraints.
Phosphorus is typically found as monohydrogen phosphate (HPO42) in
wastewater.
Materials for phosphorus removal
The removal of phosphorus to prevent or reduce eutrophication is accomplished
by chemical precipitation using one of three compounds. The precipitation
reactions for each are shown below.
Materials for phosphorus removal
Ferric chloride and alum reduce the pH while lime increases it. The effective range
of pH for alum and ferric chloride is between 5.5 and 7.0. Because of numerous
side reactions, the actual dose of alum or ferric chloride to achieve a high degree
of removal is significantly larger than the stoichiometric dose.
Pre Precipitation
Pre Precipitation
The addition of a precipitating chemicals upstream of the primary settling tank is
called preprecipitation.
The influent structures of the primary tank mix the chemicals with the wastewater.
The primary tank serves as both the reaction basin and the settling basin for the
precipitant.
The precipitated phosphate is removed with the primary sludge. This improves the
efficiency of suspended solids removal in the primary tank but may deprive the
biological processes of needed nutrients.
Co precipitation
Co precipitation
The addition of precipitating chemicals that are removed with the biological sludge
in the secondary clarifier is called coprecipitation. They may be added in the
effluent from the primary clarifier, the return mixed liquor, or the effluent from the
biological treatment process before the secondary clarifier.

When ferric chloride and alum are used, the chemicals may be added directly to
the aeration tank in the activated sludge system. Thus, the aeration tank serves as
a reaction basin. The precipitate is then removed in the secondary clarifier. This is
not possible with lime because the high pH required to form the precipitate is
detrimental to the activated sludge organisms.
Post Precipitation
Post precipitation
The addition of precipitating chemicals after secondary clarification is called post
precipitation.

This arrangement requires separate mixing and settling facilities and/or filtration.