Nutrient Recovery Systems

Nutrient Recovery Systems focus on the extraction of valuable nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, from wastewater streams and sludge. These nutrients, if left untreated, can contribute to eutrophication in natural water bodies, leading to harmful algal blooms and ecological damage. Nutrient recovery not only helps prevent environmental degradation but also provides an opportunity to recycle these nutrients for beneficial reuse, particularly in agriculture as fertilizers.

1. Phosphorus Recovery
• Recovers phosphorus from wastewater streams and sludge, typically in the form of struvite, a slow-release fertilizer used in agriculture.

2. Nitrogen Recovery
• Recovers nitrogen through processes like ammonia stripping or biological nutrient removal, used as fertilizer or in industrial processes.

3. Struvite Crystallization
• Encourages the formation of struvite crystals by adding magnesium to wastewater, recovering both phosphorus and nitrogen for use as fertilizer.

4. Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR)
• Uses bacteria to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater, with the nutrients harvested for reuse.

5. Chemical Precipitation
• Adds chemicals to wastewater to precipitate out phosphorus for recovery and reuse, especially in wastewater with high phosphorus concentrations.

6. Fertilizer Production
• Processes recovered nutrients into commercial fertilizers, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and promoting sustainability in agriculture.