Recovery of phosphorus from wastewater: A review based on current phosphorous removal technologies

Phosphorus (P) as an essential nutrient for life sustains the productivity of food systems; yet misdirected P often accumulates in wastewater and triggers water eutrophication if not properly treated. Although technologies have been developed to remove P, little attention has been paid to the recovery of P from wastewater. This work provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art P removal technologies in the science of wastewater treatment. Our analyses focus on the mechanisms, removal efficiencies, and recovery potential of four typical water and wastewater treatment processes including precipitation, biological treatment, membrane separation, and adsorption. The design principles, feasibility, operation parameters, and pros & cons of these technologies are analyzed and compared. Perspectives and future research of P removal and recovery are also proposed in the context of paradigm shift to sustainable water treatment technology.

Automated summary

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in phosphorus removal technologies in wastewater treatment. The analysis focuses on the mechanisms, removal efficiencies, and recovery potential of four typical treatment processes, as well as comparing their design principles, feasibility, operation parameters, and pros & cons. The study also proposes perspectives and future research directions for phosphorus removal and recovery in the context of sustainable water treatment technology.