Enhancing phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge using anaerobic-based processes: Current status and perspectives

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 341; p. 125899
• Main Authors: Yu, Bohan, Xiao, Xiangmin, Wang, Jianwei, Hong, Meng, Deng, Chao, Li, Yu-You, Liu, Jianyong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2021
• Subjects: Acid fermentation; Anaerobic-based process; Phosphorus recovery; Sewage sludge; Sulfate reduction; Sulfate reduction; Anaerobic-based process; Phosphorus recovery; Sewage sludge; Acid fermentation
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125899

•Nearly all of the P species can release via anaerobic-based processes.•EPS and excessive metal ions are the two main limiting factors to P release.•Acid fermentation & sulfate reduction are two promising processes for application.•Anaerobic-based processes is economically feasible with simultaneous C, P recovery.•LCA is required for synthetically evaluating wastewater treatment and P recovery.
Anaerobic-based processes are green and sustainable technologies for phosphorus (P) recovery from sewage sludges economically and are promising in practical application. However, the P release efficiency is always not satisfied. In this paper, the P release mechanisms (regarding to different P species) from sewage sludge using anaerobic-based processes are systematically summarized. The obstacles of P release and the updated achievements of enhancing P release from sewage sludges are analyzed and discussed. It can be concluded that different P species can release from sewage sludge via different anaerobic-based processes. Extracellular polymeric substances and excessive metal ions are the two main limiting factors to P release. Acid fermentation and anaerobic fermentation with sulfate reduction could be two promising ways, with P release efficiencies of up to 64% and 63%. Based on the summarization and discussion, perspectives on practical application of P recovery from sewage sludge using anaerobic-based processes are proposed.