Researchers reduce phosphorus in wastewater using iron sulphate

摘要

Blamed for algal blooms yet heralded for its nutrient properties, phosphorus in wastewater is now being taken seriously by the water industry. Commercial, large scale companies such as Ostara are now setting up operations with utilities such as the UK's Thames Water to extract this substance. However, researchers at Aalto University in Finland believe they have developed a treatment method which they claim can take place at the same time as traditional wastewater treatment. Trialled to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the wastewater of a pulp mill, the method is called simultaneous precipitation using iron sulphate. A separate treatment stage is not required, as the precipitation takes place simultaneously with the actual biological wastewater treatment.