It is usually added in the form of lime Ca(OH)2. It reacts with the natural alkalinity in the wastewater to produce calcium carbonate, which is primarily responsible for enhancing SS removal.
Ca(HCO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 à 2CaCO3 ↓+ 2H2O
As the pH value of the wastewater increases beyond about 10, excess calcium ions will then react with the phosphate, to precipitate in hydroxylapatite:
10 Ca2+ + 6 PO43- + 2 OH- ↔ Ca10(PO4)*6(OH)2 ↓
Because the reaction is between the lime and the alkalinity of the wastewater, the quantity required will be, in general, independent of the amount of phosphate present. It will depend primarily on the alkalinity of the wastewater. The lime dose required can be approximated at 1.5 times the alkalinity as CaCO3. Neutralisation may be required to reduce pH before subsequent treatment or disposal. Recarbonation with carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to lower the pH value.
Phosphorous removal processes. The removal of phosphorous from wastewater involves the incorporation of phosphate into TSS and the subsequent removal from these solids. ... Chemical precipitation is used to remove the inorganic forms of phosphate by the addition of a coagulant and a mixing of wastewater and coagulant.
If you choose remove phosphate by biological treatment looking for less costs, you can use aerobic filters followed by anaerobic reactors. It have a high efficiency removal of nutrientes such nitrogen and phosphorus.
By adding Alum and magnesium chloride salt. The reaction between Alum and phosphate leads to Aluminium phosphate. The reaction between Aluminium phosphate and magnesium chloride leads to magnesium phosphate and aluminium chloride.
This magnesium phosphate can be separated easily since it is heavy molecule. After that add a small quantity of sulphuric acid to it. Now phosphate is turned into phosphoric acid. And this goes into the atmosphere.