Nutrient recovery from piggery effluents

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate struvite precipitation potential, using the Visual MINTEQ modelling package. A solution speciation model of struvite precipitation in different phases has been developed. This model indicates that across a wide range of pH (6-14) various other crystals are formed along with struvite, whereas struvite formation is dominant in the pH range of 7.75-9.27. Solution speciation modelling indicates that a Magnesium Ion Selective Electrode can be used to infer struvite supersaturation, enabling better modelling and control of crystal growth kinetics. A brief thermodynamic investigation on piggery wastewater collection pond will be performed using this model.