The feasibility and efficiency of fly ash as an absorbent for phosphate removal

Abstract

Abstract Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required for the growth and development of plants, animals, and microorganisms. However, excessive phosphorus in wastewater can cause detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, leading to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. Thus, the removal of phosphorus from wastewater is crucial to protect water bodies and maintain environmental sustainability. The removal mechanism of phosphorus by fly ash involves both physical and chemical processes. The high surface area and porosity of fly ash facilitate the adsorption of phosphorus molecules onto its surface, while the presence of calcium and aluminium oxides in fly ash enables the formation of stable precipitates with phosphorus in the solution. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of fly ash as an absorbent for phosphorus removal. These studies have demonstrated that fly ash can effectively remove phosphorus from wastewater, achieving removal efficiencies of up to 90%. The performance of fly ash as an absorbent can be enhanced through various strategies, such as modification with reactive substances or combining it with other materials. Objective of this study is parameters that effect on phosphorus absorption using fly ash as absorbent. The results showed that increasing pH decrease % removal.