Qingkong Chen

Evaluation of sludge reduction and carbon source recovery from excess sludge by the advanced Sludge reduction, Inorganic solids separation, Phosphorus recovery, and Enhanced nutrient Removal (SIPER) wastewater treatment process.

An advanced wastewater treatment process involving Sludge reduction, Inorganic solids separation, Phosphorus recovery, and Enhanced nutrient Removal (SIPER) was developed to reduce sludge production, prevent the accumulation of inorganic solids, recover phosphorus, and enhance nutrient removal. The feasibility of recovering carbon (C)-source from excess sludge to enhance nutrient removal and the sludge reduction potential of the process was evaluated. The results showed that sludge hydrolysis and acidification yields were 20±3% and 34±2%, respectively. The COD/TN and VFA/TP ratios for the supernatant of alkaline-treated sludge were 2.8 and 2.5 times those in the influent, respectively. Nutrients were removed effectively in the system, especially TN, for which the removal efficiency reached 80±2%. The C-source recovered from the excess sludge was successfully employed as an internal C-source for enhanced nutrient removal. The observed sludge yield of the system was 0.096 g VSS g COD(-1), demonstrating the excellent sludge reduction potential of this process.

Pilot-scale test of an advanced, integrated wastewater treatment process with sludge reduction, inorganic solids separation, phosphorus recovery, and enhanced nutrient removal (SIPER)

Sludge reduction technologies are increasingly important in wastewater treatment, but have some defects. In order to remedy them, a novel, integrated process including sludge reduction, inorganic solids separation, phosphorus recovery, and enhanced nutrient removal was developed. The pilot-scale system was operated steadily at a treatment scale of 10 m(3)/d for 90 days. The results showed excellent nutrient removal, with average removal efficiencies for NH4(+)-N, TN, TP, and COD reaching 98.2 ± 1.34%, 75.5 ± 3.46%, 95.3 ± 1.65%, and 92.7 ± 2.49%, respectively. The ratio of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) to mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) in the system gradually increased, from 0.33 to 0.52. The process effectively prevented the accumulation of inert or inorganic solids in activated sludge. Phosphorus was recovered as a crystalline product with aluminum ion from wastewater. The observed sludge yield Yobs of the system was 0.103 gVSS/g COD, demonstrating that the systems sludge reduction potential is excellent.

Synthesis and Enhanced Phosphate Recovery Property of Porous Calcium Silicate Hydrate Using Polyethyleneglycol as Pore-Generation Agent

The primary objective of this paper was to synthesize a porous calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) with enhanced phosphate recovery property using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as pore-generation agent. The formation mechanism of porous CSH was proposed. PEG molecules were inserted into the void region of oxygen–silicon tetrahedron chains and the layers of CSH. A steric hindrance layer was generated to prevent the aggregation of solid particles. A porous structure was formed due to the residual space caused by the removal of PEG through incineration. This porous CSH exhibited highly enhanced solubility of Ca2+ and OH− due to the decreased particle size, declined crystalline, and increased specific surface area (SBET) and pore volume. Supersaturation was increased in the wastewater with the enhanced solubility, which was beneficial to the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystallization. Thus, phosphate can be recovered from wastewater by producing HAP using porous CSH as crystal seed. In addition, the regenerated phosphate-containing products (HAP) can be reused to achieve sustainable utilization of phosphate. The present research could provide an effective approach for the synthesis of porous CSH and the enhancement of phosphate recovery properties for environmental applications.

Influence of Hydrothermal Temperature on Phosphorus Recovery Efficiency of Porous Calcium Silicate Hydrate

Porous calcium silicate hydrate (PCSH) was synthesized by carbide residue and white carbon black. The influence of hydrothermal temperature on phosphorus recovery efficiency was investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Hydrothermal temperature exerted significant influence on phosphorus recovery performance of PCSH. Hydrothermal temperature 170°C for PCSH was more proper to recover phosphorus. PCSH could recover phosphorus with content of 18.51%. The law of Ca2

Phosphorus recovery using porous calcium silicate hydrate as seed crystal in form of hydroxyapatite

Abstract A phosphorus crystallisation process for recovering phosphate was developed using porous calcium silicate hydrate (PCSH) as seed crystal. Phosphorus can be removed by producing hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the surface of seed crystal, which can be applied to the recovery of phosphates from wastewater. Influence factors were investigated. Results indicated that increasing the initial concentration of phosphorus, intensifying the stirring speed and decreasing the sample dosage were beneficial for the increase in phosphorus content in the resulting samples. The phosphorus content of samples after phosphorus recovery could reach 19·05%. On the basis of Ca2+ and OH− releasing from PCSH and characterisation results from X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, the mechanism of phosphorus recovery by PCSH as seed crystal in the weak alkaline condition was revealed. A large specific surface area and porous structure of PCSH provided local conditions to form a proper concentration for Ca2+ and OH− releasing. This condition could maintain the pH value at 8·0–9·0 in order to improve the production of HAP on the surface of PCSH.

A novel synthesis method of porous calcium silicate hydrate based on the calcium oxide/polyethylene glycol composites

This paper proposed a novel method to prepare porous calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) based on the calcium oxide/polyethylene glycol (CaO/PEG2000) composites as the calcium materials. The porosity formation mechanism was revealed via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thereactivity of silica materials (SiO2) enhanced by increasing pH value. Ca2+ could not sustain release from CaO/PEG2000 and reacted with SiO2-3 caused by silica to form CSH until the hydrothermal temperature reached to 170°C, avoiding the hardly dissolved intermediates formation efficiently. The as-prepared CSH, due to the large specific surface areas, exhibited excellent release capability of Ca2+ and OH-. This porous CSH has potential application in reducing the negative environmental effects of continual natural phosphate resource depletion.