Incorporation of an Intentional Struvite Precipitation Model Into a Whole-plant Process Simulator

An intentional struvite precipitation model is incorporated into a whole-plant process simulator allowing for the quantification of impacts to the overall mass balance and associated phosphorus recovery from a wastewater treatment system. The intentional struvite precipitation model predicts the overall struvite quantities generated (as magnesium ammonium phosphate, MgNH4PO4·6H2O) and the associated reduction of phosphorus and ammonia across the reactor. The results are incorporated into the overall wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) mass balance, quantifying the impact intentional struvite precipitation has on the nutrient removal performance of the facility. The use of this model in a whole-plant process simulator allows the direct comparison to other nutrient removal alternatives, providing a basis for the selection of the appropriate treatment process configuration.