Recovery of nutrients from sewage using zeolite-chitosan-biochar adsorbent: Current practices and perspectives

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering 2021-04, Vol.40, p.101845, Article 101845
• Main Authors: Safie, N.N., Zahrim, A.Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Chitosan; Hybrid adsorbents; Nutrients recovery process; Sewage; Zeolite
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101845

NZs: Natural zeolites [Display omitted] •The properties of zeolites, chitosan, and biochar for nutrient removal were summarized.•Modification and adsorption process of zeolites, chitosan, and biochar was evaluated.•The preparation of hybrid adsorbents and the mechanism of attachment were reviewed.•The application of hybrid adsorbents in nutrient recovery is outlined and discussed. The recovery of nutrients especially from sewage shows a growing interest due to its capability in enhancing environmental and economic benefit. The nutrients such as N and P that are rich in sewage can be recovered to be used as fertilizers. Over the years, many natural adsorbents such as NZs, chitosan, and biochar have been investigated for nutrient recovery. However, those adsorbents have low mechanical strength as well as a low affinity towards various charged contaminants. Hence, grafting them into hybrid absorbents may enhance their adsorption capacity (AC) in nutrients removal. The nutrients that can be recovered are up to 96 %. This review summarizes the physical properties, performance in nutrient removal and recovery of NZs, chitosan, biochar, and respective hybrid adsorbents.