A pilot-scale study of struvite precipitation in a stirred tank reactor: Conditions influencing the process

Currently, the two most developed techniques for recovering phosphorus from wastewater consist of the formation of calcium phosphates and struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O). In this work the influence of the operational conditions on the struvite precipitation process (pH in the reactor, hydraulic retention time, and magnesium:phosphorus, nitrogen:phosphorus, and calcium:magnesium molar ratios) have been studied. Twenty-three experiments with artificial wastewater were performed in a stirred reactor. In order to obtain the pH value maintenance during the crystallization process, a fuzzy logic control has been developed. High phosphorus removal efficiencies were reliably achieved precipitating the struvite as easily dried crystals or as pellets made up of agglomerated crystals.