MABA September 19, 2023 Webinar: 

Responsible Recycling of Phosphorus – the limits and opportunities

Global environmental experts have identified phosphorus releases as an “earth system boundary” that has been damagingly exceeded, and phosphorus extraction from municipal wastewater systems as a critical mitigation measure. While technologies for sharply limiting phosphorus releases in effluent have progressed, those that extract phosphorus from biosolids have not gained a foothold. This webinar will look at examples of technologies that accomplish extraction from waste organics and assess the current drives and restrictions to their adoption.  

COST: Member: $25, Nonmember: $50

Moderator: Bill Toffey, Effluential Synergies, LLC

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Presentation 1: Manureshed Management Concept for Biosolids-borne Phosphorus
Summary: Biosolids can take its place within a larger context of organic waste management in the mid-Atlantic region if it were to embrace the emerging Manureshed Management Concept.  Production and distribution of organic-sourced nutrients need to flexibly respond to agricultural needs by delivering to farms low in soil phosphorus. Biosolids has attributes of product quality and economics that ought to make it competitive with manures and digestates within manuresheds. 
Robert Meinen, Assistant Research Professor, Director of Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Education Program, Penn State University

Presentation 2: Technology for P Extraction from WAS and Centrate – What is Possible and Affordable
Summary:  Phosphorus extraction during wastewater treatment can take several pathways. One is the reaction of P as struvite after anaerobic digestion to avoid maintenance headaches within the WRRF. This can be economically achieved as sequestration of struvite within the biosolids matrix.  In this step phosphorus could be sequestered with the dewatered biosolids or extracted ahead of the dewatering step and recovered as struvite. Another pathway is the solubilization of phosphorus ahead of the aerobic or anaerobic treatment and to recover it in the form of brushite (dicalcium phosphate).  This extraction step captures P as a recyclable mineral, keeping the P out of the biosolids. Moving beyond sequestration toward extraction of P for fertilizer distribution remains a big challenge ahead if WRRFs are going to fulfill their potential in the circular economy.
Gerhard Forstner, PE, CNP Centrisys

Presentation 3: P-Bearing Fertilizers from Thermal Processes – What is Possible and Affordable
Summary: Thermal processes, ranging from drying through advanced conversion technologies like pyrolysis and SCWO, alter biosolids in ways which both reduce potential pollutant releases and amplify benefits to soil health and crop growth. For instance, pyrolysis can eliminate persistent organic pollutants and result in granular carbon that recycles organic matter, carbon, and bioavailable nutrients that are fixed in the soil, and don’t runoff.
Bryce Meeker, President, Northeastern Biochar Solutions 

Presentation 4: Utilization of SSI Ash for Phosphorus Fertilization 
Summary: Sewage Sludge Incinerator ash is underappreciated as a potential amendment for soil remediation.  The phosphorus borne in SSI ash has been shown to be an accessible nutrient for field and horticultural crops.  Dr. Ma reports on her dissertation work on this topic in Minnesota.  
Persephone Ma, Brown and Caldwell

Click HERE to register for this webinar!