Effect of seeding materials and mixing strength on struvite precipitation.

Struvite precipitation has increasing interest as a technology for removing and recovering phosphorus from wastewater streams. Many chemical factors have been studied, such as optimum pH values and component-ion molar ratios, yet, understanding of physical aspects is lacking. Two physical parameters were tested: (1) seeding material addition and (2) mixing. Objectives were to evaluate three seeding materials and to optimize mixing conditions for struvite-crystal precipitation, growth, and subsequent sedimentation. Results confirm that mixing strength and proper seeding materials increase crystal size and improve settleability. For unseeded solutions, optimum phosphorus removal was achieved at a mixing strength of G = 76 s(-1). Struvite crystals that were added as the seeding material provided the best performance with respect to phosphorus removal and crystal-size distribution. Overall, this study provided information to improve the practical application of struvite precipitation as a phosphorous-treatment technology for wastewaters, while generating a marketable slow-release fertilizer as a product.