Investigation of phosphorus removal from modified starch wastewater using calcium and magnesium ions

Abstract

Phosphorus pollution poses a significant environmental challenge in wastewater from industries like modified starch production. This study investigates the feasibility of mitigating phosphorus contamination in modified starch production wastewater using calcium and magnesium ions. In the first step, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) alone achieves a phosphorus removal efficiency of 38 % with a dosage of 800 mg/L. Subsequently, in the second step, optimal conditions are achieved at a Ca:P molar ratio of 2.5–3 with a 20-min reaction time, resulting in a remarkable phosphorus removal efficiency of 97 %. The study highlights the critical role of pH adjustment during precipitation reactions and offers insights into efficient phosphorus removal strategies. These findings contribute to sustainable wastewater treatment methodologies, addressing environmental concerns in industrial settings.

Keywords

• Phosphorus removal
• Modified starch production wastewater
• Calcium hydroxide
• Poly aluminum chloride (PAC)
• Coagulation
• Precipitation