Title: Nitrogen removal and recovery from human urine by struvite precipitation

Authors: Olcay Tunay, Isik Kabdasli, Mehmet Bali Tatli

Addresses: Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkiye. ' Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkiye. ' Master of Science from Institute of Sciences, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkiye

Abstract: In this study, struvite precipitation of human urine was experimentally studied on both synthetic and actual urine samples. One of the main conclusions of the study was that removal of the ions constituting struvite from the solution was not in proportion with the stoichiometry of the solid and excess magnesium and phosphate removals varied from 2.5% to 4.8% on a molar basis. Redissolution of the solid yielded a similar result. Potassium and calcium affected the struvite precipitation performance. The remaining ammonia concentration was over 100 mg/l. Ionic strength affected the precipitation efficiency. Organic matrix of the urine had no significant effect on the process.

Keywords: calcium; human urine; ionic strength; potassium; struvite precipitation; nitrogen removal; nitrogen recovery.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2009.026353

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2009 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.382 - 392

Published online: 07 Jun 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article