Second-Generation Phosphorus: Recovery from Wastes towards the Sustainability of Production Chains

Camila Ester Hollas, Alice Chiapetti Bolsan, Bruno Venturin, Gabriela Bonassa, Deisi Cristina Tápparo, Daniela Cândido, Fabiane Goldschmidt Antes, Matias B. Vanotti, Ariel A. Szögi and Airton Kunz
Additional contact information
Camila Ester Hollas: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, PGEAGRI, Western Paraná State University, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Alice Chiapetti Bolsan: Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Universidade Tecnológica Federa do Paraná, Dois Vizinhos 85660-000, PR, Brazil
Bruno Venturin: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, PGEAGRI, Western Paraná State University, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Gabriela Bonassa: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, PGEAGRI, Western Paraná State University, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Deisi Cristina Tápparo: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, PGEAGRI, Western Paraná State University, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil
Daniela Cândido: Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Technology, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Erechim 99700-970, RS, Brazil
Fabiane Goldschmidt Antes: Embrapa Suínos e Aves, Concórdia 89715-899, SC, Brazil
Matias B. Vanotti: Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, USDA-ARS, Florence, SC 29501, USA
Ariel A. Szögi: Coastal Plains Soil, Water and Plant Research Center, USDA-ARS, Florence, SC 29501, USA
Airton Kunz: Center for Exact and Technological Sciences, PGEAGRI, Western Paraná State University, Cascavel 85819-110, PR, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-30

Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is essential for life and has a fundamental role in industry and the world food production system. The present work describes different technologies adopted for what is called the second-generation P recovery framework, that encompass the P obtained from residues and wastes. The second-generation P has a high potential to substitute the first-generation P comprising that originally mined from rock phosphates for agricultural production. Several physical, chemical, and biological processes are available for use in second-generation P recovery. They include both concentrating and recovery technologies: (1) chemical extraction using magnesium and calcium precipitating compounds yielding struvite, newberyite and calcium phosphates; (2) thermal treatments like combustion, hydrothermal carbonization, and pyrolysis; (3) nanofiltration and ion exchange methods; (4) electrochemical processes; and (5) biological processes such as composting, algae uptake, and phosphate accumulating microorganisms (PAOs). However, the best technology to use depends on the characteristic of the waste, the purpose of the process, the cost, and the availability of land. The exhaustion of deposits (economic problem) and the accumulation of P (environmental problem) are the main drivers to incentivize the P’s recovery from various wastes. Besides promoting the resource’s safety, the recovery of P introduces the residues as raw materials, closing the productive systems loop and reducing their environmental damage.

Keywords: waste treatment; struvite; chemical precipitation; biological recovery; nutrient recovery; phosphate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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