ABSTRACT
The present study utilised an adsorbent that integrates Mg with Al and La (i.e. MAL composite) to remove low-concentration phosphate from wastewater. The adsorption properties of MAL were identified through batch experiments of phosphate removal, in which the impacts of influencing factors such as initial pH and reaction time on the phosphate adsorption by MAL adsorbent were explored. Besides, the thermodynamics and kinetics were also investigated, where the phosphate adsorption follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating that chemisorption and internal diffusion control dominate the phosphate removal. Dynamic phosphate removal by MAL adsorbent was investigated using a fixed-bed column at different adsorbent particle sizes, flow rates and temperatures, in which the breakthrough curves were simulated. The phosphate removal by MAL adsorbent was examined at practical wastewater treatment, which achieves high efficiency and thus provides a preliminary basis for the commercial use of the adsorbent. Apart from this, the techno-economic analysis of phosphate adsorption was also conducted.
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Notes on contributors
Wei Jiang
Prof. Dr. Wei Jiang is working at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Wei's expertise and practical experience include organic solid treatment and recycling, adsorption and photocatalysis.
Xiao Liu
Mr. Xiao Liu is studying at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. His interests include wastewater treatment and composting.
Luonan Zha
Ms. Luonan Zha is working at CUCDE Environmental Technology Co., Ltd and she is an expert in the field of wastewater treatment.
Qian Tang
Ms. Qian Tang is studying at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology as a PhD candidate and her interests include biological wastewater treatment and enhanced nitrogen removal.
Songlin Wang
Prof. Dr. Songlin Wang is working at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Songlin's expertise and practical experience include membrane technology and wastewater treatment.
Yongzheng Ren
Prof. Dr. Yongzheng Ren is working at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Yongzheng's expertise and practical experience include constructed wetlands and enhanced nitrogen removal.
Dongqi Liu
Prof. Dr. Dongqi Liu is working at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Dongqi's expertise and practical experience include microbial technology and wastewater treatment.
Daosheng Li
Mr. Daosheng Li is working at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and responsible for laboratory management. His interests include adsorption and wastewater treatment.
Zizheng Liu
Prof. Dr. Zizheng Liu is working at School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University. Zizheng's expertise and practical experience include environmental photochemistry and advanced oxidation technology.
Yuanyao Ye
Dr. Yuanyao Ye is currently a Lecturer at School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Yuanyao's expertise and practical experience include advanced biological waste treatment processes, resource recovery, environmental impacts assessment, circular economy–based clean technologies, and minimization of wastes and emissions. Yuanyao has published > 30 papers in high–impact journals as the first/corresponding author.