Advanced treatment of swine wastewater using an agent synthesized from amorphous silica and hydrated lime.

Advanced treatment using an agent synthesized from amorphous silica and hydrated lime (M-CSH-lime) was developed and applied to swine wastewater treatment. Biologically treated wastewater and M-CSH-lime (approximately 6w/v% slurry) were fed continuously into a column-shaped reactor from its bottom. Accumulated M-CSH-lime gradually formed a bed layer. The influent permeated this layer and contacted the M-CSH-lime, and the treatment reaction progressed. Treated liquid overflowing from the top of the reactor was neutralized with CO2 gas bubbling. The colour removal rate approximately exceeded 50% with M-CSH-lime addition rates of >0.15w/v%. The removal rate of PO43--P exceeded 80% with the addition of >0.03w/v% of M-CSH-lime. The removal rates of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli exceeded 99.9% with >0.1w/v%. Accumulated M-CSH-lime in the reactor was periodically withdrawn from the upper part of the bed layer. The content of citric-acid-soluble P2O5 in the recovered matter was >15% when the weight ratio of influent PO43--P to added M-CSH-lime was >0.15. This content was comparable with commercial phosphorus fertilizer. The inhibitory effect of recovered M-CSH-lime on germination and growth of leafy vegetable komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) was evaluated by an experiment using the Neubauer's pot. The recovered M-CSH-lime had no negative effect on germination and growth. These results suggest that advanced water treatment with M-CSH-lime was effective for simultaneous removal of colour, PO43--P and coliform bacteria at an addition rate of 0.03-0.15w/v%, and that the recovered M-CSH-lime would be suitable as phosphorus fertilizer.