Sewage sludge nutrient solubilization using a single-stage microwave treatment

The effects of an advanced oxidation process combining microwave, hydrogen peroxide and acid hydrolysis in a single stage (MW/H₂O₂/H⁺-AOP) on the process efficiency of sewage sludge treatment and nutrient recovery were investigated. At lower temperature regimes (60–80°C), the soluble phosphate was substantially higher in a two-stage process than in a single stage MW/H₂O₂/H⁺-AOP process. However, higher soluble phosphate concentration was obtained for single-stage treatment at the higher operating temperature regimes (100–120°C). With the addition of an inorganic acid, a very high yield of soluble phosphate was obtained in the solution at 120°C. In tests with acid addition, soluble ammonia increased as temperature increased. For single stage MW/H₂O₂/H⁺-AOP, maximum soluble ammonia was obtained at 120°C. Significant concentrations of soluble COD were also obtained in this treatment. A threshold temperature of 80°C was observed, at which all of the COD could be solubilized. However, at higher temperatures (100–120°C), further oxidation processes occurred to form carbon dioxide, resulting in decreased amounts of soluble COD in the solution.

Keywords:

• Microwave
• Advanced oxidation
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Acid
• Chemical oxygen demand
• Ammonia
• Phosphorus

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the research funding, in the form of a Discovery Grant, provided by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, Canada.