Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield

Urine diversion toilets and waterless urinals have received much attention lately to solve sanitation challenges in water scare countries. Separating the urine at source and treating the urine and solids separately has the impact of reducing water usage and reducing the burden on wastewater treatmen...

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Main Authors: Reneiloe Seodigeng, John K. Tshilenge, Hilary L. Rutto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2022-06-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/12364
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author Reneiloe Seodigeng
John K. Tshilenge
Hilary L. Rutto
author_facet Reneiloe Seodigeng
John K. Tshilenge
Hilary L. Rutto
author_sort Reneiloe Seodigeng
collection DOAJ
description Urine diversion toilets and waterless urinals have received much attention lately to solve sanitation challenges in water scare countries. Separating the urine at source and treating the urine and solids separately has the impact of reducing water usage and reducing the burden on wastewater treatment systems. Source separated urine can be valorised by extracting struvite as fertiliser through crystallisation. A cost-effective magnesium (Mg) source is required for the process and depending on factors such as location and availability, an Mg source may be the difference between an economically viable process and one that is not. Different kinds of sources for Mg have been investigated, but none investigated fertiliser grade magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2 ). In this study, struvite crystallisation using Mg(NO3)2 was investigated. The effect of four parameters namely residence time, pH, Mg: P ratio and stirring time on yield were studied. Residence time was determined to be the most influential parameter. The optimal pH, stirring speed, residence time and Mg:P ratio were found to be 9.5, 90 rpm, 24 min and 1.5 respectively. Stirring speed was found to have the least effect on yield and a minimal effect on crystal size distribution.
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spelling doaj.art-44097329f4834edaa376b7825e08e7712022-12-22T02:37:58ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162022-06-019110.3303/CET2291102Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on YieldReneiloe SeodigengJohn K. TshilengeHilary L. RuttoUrine diversion toilets and waterless urinals have received much attention lately to solve sanitation challenges in water scare countries. Separating the urine at source and treating the urine and solids separately has the impact of reducing water usage and reducing the burden on wastewater treatment systems. Source separated urine can be valorised by extracting struvite as fertiliser through crystallisation. A cost-effective magnesium (Mg) source is required for the process and depending on factors such as location and availability, an Mg source may be the difference between an economically viable process and one that is not. Different kinds of sources for Mg have been investigated, but none investigated fertiliser grade magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2 ). In this study, struvite crystallisation using Mg(NO3)2 was investigated. The effect of four parameters namely residence time, pH, Mg: P ratio and stirring time on yield were studied. Residence time was determined to be the most influential parameter. The optimal pH, stirring speed, residence time and Mg:P ratio were found to be 9.5, 90 rpm, 24 min and 1.5 respectively. Stirring speed was found to have the least effect on yield and a minimal effect on crystal size distribution.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/12364
spellingShingle Reneiloe Seodigeng
John K. Tshilenge
Hilary L. Rutto
Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
title_full Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
title_fullStr Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
title_full_unstemmed Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
title_short Struvite Crystallisation of Synthetic Urine Using Magnesium Nitrate: Effect of Parameters on Yield
title_sort struvite crystallisation of synthetic urine using magnesium nitrate effect of parameters on yield
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/12364
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AT hilarylrutto struvitecrystallisationofsyntheticurineusingmagnesiumnitrateeffectofparametersonyield