Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Wastewater As Dittmarite.

Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Wastewater as Dittmarite

Asmare Atalay

Virginia State Unviersity

Use of phosphorus and nitrogen enriched feeds in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s), land application of animal manure and chemical fertilizer on agricultural land, and municipal as well as industrial wastewaters, all contribute a great deal to the eutrophication of surface waters. Application of manure slurries to crop land beyond allowable limits result in high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in runoff that negatively impact aquatic animals. Municipal wastewater treatment plants are setup to remove these nutrients from domestic and industrial wastewater through a network of treatment processes. Thus, controlling the discharge of phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater is a key factor in preventing eutrophication. This research developed and enhanced a chemical precipitation method that removes over 90% of phosphorus and nearly 20% of nitrogen from both synthetic and municipal wastewaters. The objective of the study is to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater as dittmarite, a value-added mineral fertilizer found in nature. A laboratory procedure was developed that generated significant quantities of dittmarite from various wastewaters. Pure dittmarite contains nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium in ratios of 1:1:1, that are sufficient for plant growth. It is produced as a wet precipitate from chemical reactions that occur in the wastewater treatment process; it can be dried for proper handling and utilization. Municipal wastewater treatment plants, high volume fish producers, and confined animal operators (CAFO) can all benefit from this technology for on-site removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from their respective wastewaters.