2024 AIChE Annual Meeting
Ion Exchange Chromatography for Enhanced Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater
Addressing excess phosphorus in wastewater is crucial, as eutrophication threatens aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity through the creation of harmful algal blooms and hypoxic zones. Effective management of phosphorus pollution is vital for preserving water quality, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting livelihoods reliant on healthy ecosystems. While various removal technologies have been investigated, there remains a critical need for improved phosphorus management systems in the San Diego area. Here we demonstrate that continuous flow ion exchange columns efficiently remove phosphorus from simulated wastewater solutions. The columns packed with cationic ion exchange resin beads utilize electrostatic attraction to filter out phosphate anions. As wastewater flows through the chromatography column, the phosphate anions engage in an exchange reaction with the ions present in the resin. We analyzed the removal process using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, calibrated to measure phosphate concentrations in both the initial wastewater solution and the column effluent. The integration of custom-designed, 3D-printed components significantly enhanced the column’s efficiency, resulting in reduced trace phosphate levels in the effluent. After the ion exchange process, the cationic resin can be regenerated using a weak base solution, facilitating the recovery of isolated phosphate anions for reuse as a fertilizer source. This streamlined ion exchange column presents a scalable solution for phosphorus removal from wastewater, contributing to a sustainable approach to mitigating eutrophication and minimizing waste.