Synthesis and Characterization of Struvite-k Crystals by Agar Gel

The phosphate mineral struvite is basically formed in urinary tracks and kidney. One of the analogous compounds of struvite is potassium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate (KMgPO4·6H2O), known as struvite-k crystal and found in animal urinary calculi. In the present investigation, struvite-k crystals were grown by single diffusion and double diffusion techniques in agar gelmedium. The grown crystals were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Optical microscopy and SEM exhibited the different morphologies. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of water molecules, stretching and bending vibrations of phosphate (PO4) ions. However the powder XRD results from the crystalline nature. Elemental composition in the crystal was obtained by EDXA, while 36.89% weight loss of water molecules is observed in TGA study.

Recovery of Biomass Incinerated as Struvite-K Precipitates Followed Aluminium Removal

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are non-renewable materials and widely in many industries such as agricultural sectors. On the other hand, the demand of P and K as fertilizers increases which following global population. The nutrient source of P and K which get from biomass waste i.e. incinerated of activated sludge and coffee husk biochar, respectively. The present study was conducted recovery of P and K as struvite-K (KMgPO4·6H2O) precipitates. The results showed that aluminium was released simultaneously with P from incinerated activated sludge with precipitate of Al:P of 1:1, K:P of 0.5, and Mg:P of 3. However, aluminium was inhibited to form struvite-K. Then, we examined cation removal especially for removed Al by dissolved 0.5 M HNO3 and the solution was mixed with KH2PO4 and MgCl2·6H2O as source of K and Mg, respectively. The results showed aluminium (Al) was removed with precipitate K:P of 0.5, and Mg:P of 0.8. This study was confirmed that recovery of biomass incinerated was successful as struvite-K and can be used as fertilizers.