Research progress in recovering phosphorus from wastewater by crystallisation

Abstract

Phosphorus removal by crystallisation has the advantages of fast reactions, high efficiency, and recyclable resources, and it has attracted much attention at globally in recent years. With extensive research, its theory and process technology have been continuously improved. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystallisation and calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite, HAP) crystallisation are two common methods for wastewater dephosphorisation, but there are few reviews of these two methods. In this paper, the research results concerning MAP and HAP crystallisation methods are comprehensively reviewed. The reaction principle, influencing factors, and engineering applications of the two products are summarised, and the two crystallisation methods are compared. Finally, the development of future phosphorus crystallisation technology is discussed. These prospects provide a basis for the promotion and application of phosphorus removal by crystallisation.