Investigating the application of composting for phosphorous recovery from alum precipitated sludge

The feasibility of composting alum phosphate sludge that is produced in the process of phosphorous removal at wastewater lagoons is investigated in this project. The sludge is produced in an innovative phosphorous removal system that is being tested in a pilot scale at the RM of Taché, MB. The dewatered sludge will be stockpiled in three windrows at the RM of Taché landfill and will be mixed with 1x, 1.5x, and 2x volumes of woodchips. A cover may be used to control the moisture content and temperature of windrows. A number of parameters including moisture content, temperature, and pH of the windrows will be monitored throughout the process of composting. Parallel to the field composting, a bench controlled composting experiment at the laboratory environment. The final compost products will be analyzed and will be applied to three types of plants to assess the bioavailability of nutrients in the compost. Also the toxicity of the final products will be evaluated. The ultimate goal of this project is to produce a compost product that can meet the characteristics of Class A biosolids in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Qiuyan Yuan

Student:

Partner:

Innovantage Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: