Recovery of phosphorus from chemical-enhanced phosphorus removal sludge: Influence of sodium sulfide dosage on phosphorus fractionation, sludge dewaterability, and struvite product.

Despite the potential of sodium sulfide (Na 2 S) for phosphorus (P) recovery from iron-phosphate waste, the underlying mechanism regarding its impact on P conversion and product quality has not been well addressed. In this study, the effects of Na 2 S addition on P release and recovery from a chemical-enhanced phosphorus removal (CEPR) sludge during anaerobic fermentation were systematically investigated. The results revealed that the effective mobilization of P bound to Fe (Fe–P) by Na 2 S dominated the massive P release from the CEPR sludge, while the organic P (OP) release was not significantly enhanced during anaerobic fermentation. Due to the rapid reaction of Na 2 S with Fe–P and the prevention of Fe(II)–P precipitation by excess S2−, the Fe–P was decreased by 9.7%, 15.2% and 24.9% at S:Fe molar ratios of 0.3, 0.5 and 1, respectively. After anaerobic fermentation, the released P mainly existed as soluble phosphate (SP), P bound to Ca (Ca–P) and P bound to Al (Al–P). The nitrogen and P contents in the fermentation supernatant significantly increased with higher S:Fe ratios, facilitating the efficient recovery of P as high-purity struvite. However, the increased Na 2 S dosage deteriorated the sludge dewaterability because of the dissolution of hydrophilic extracellular polymeric substances and the looser secondary structure of proteins. Comprehensively considering the P recovery, sludge dewaterability and economic cost, the optimal Na 2 S dosage was determined at the S:Fe ratio of 0.3. These findings provide novel insights into the role of Na 2 S in P recovery as struvite from CEPR sludge. [Display omitted] • Effective mobilization of Fe–P by Na 2 S dominated the release of P from CEPR sludge. • Released P was mainly present in soluble phosphate, Ca–P and Al–P. • Dissolution of hydrophilic EPS deteriorated sludge dewaterability. • Struvite with a purity of 67% was recovered from the sludge fermentation supernatant. • The optimal Na 2 S dosage was determined for P release with better dewaterability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]