Method for Recovering Phosphorous and Metal Ions From Dilute Aqueous Feeds Using Cementitious Adsorbents

Patent Abstract

A robust and economically viable technology is developed for the phosphorus (P) and metals recovery from dilute aqueous feeds. This is one of the first efforts to recover P and contaminants from the wastewater streams using adsorbents without the need of incineration and acid leaching of the sludge. P is becoming very critical raw material and nutrient for the agricultural and industrial uses and most of the produced materials are lost in the water bodies. The process technology addresses the P management using the cementitious inorganic adsorbent containing transition and alkali metals like Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and S, but not limited to this. The sequence of interconversion in solution chemistry via inorganic sulphates and hydroxides can produce the economic products such as phosphoric acid and struvite or transition metal salts. The developed technology has the potential for scale up on industrial scale, re-use of components and preconcentration of dilute P and metal contents as well as extended use for recovering from other industrial aqueous feeds after the corresponding optimization. The clear advantage with the claimed process is that it can avoid the use of strong mineral acid and high temperature pyrometallurgical treatments to reach the similar products without negative environmental impact.

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a novel, environmentally friendly method for recovering phosphorus and metal ions from dilute aqueous sources like wastewater and industrial effluents, using specially designed cementitious adsorbents (including ettringite). The process works at room temperature, does not require strong acids, incineration, or high temperatures, and achieves high purity recovery of phosphorus, which can be reused as phosphoric acid or as fertilizers like struvite. The process follows a circular economy approach by recycling adsorbent materials internally and is compatible with existing water treatment systems.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Municipal wastewater treatment plants recovering phosphorus to comply with regulatory requirements.
• Industrial facilities (such as food, pharmaceutical, and mining operations) capturing and reusing phosphorus from their effluents.
• Production of high-purity fertilizers (such as struvite) directly from treated wastewater.
• Remediation of contaminated surface water or groundwater with dilute phosphorus and metals.
• Circular economy applications by recycling key materials within agricultural and industrial supply chains.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Environmentally friendly—avoids use of harsh acids, incineration, and high temperatures.
• High phosphorus recovery rate (>90%) and high product purity, suitable for fertilizer production.
• Can be operated at ambient temperature and pressure, reducing energy costs.
• Efficient removal and possible recovery of metals from wastewater.
• Enables compliance with stringent regulations on phosphorus recovery (e.g., in the EU and Switzerland).
• Circular economy—reuses materials within the process, minimizing waste and resource consumption.
• Easily integrated with existing water treatment infrastructures.
• Economically viable with potential for industrial-scale operation.
• Improves sustainability of fertilizer and food supply chains by recovering critical nutrients from waste streams.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants