Extracting Phosphorus and Proteins from Manure via pH Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste disposal methods for animal and municipal wastes are inadequate, leading to pollution and inefficient nutrient recovery, particularly phosphorus and proteins, which can contaminate water bodies and deplete limited phosphate rock reserves.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a two-step process using acidic and basic solutions to separate and recover phosphorus and proteins from biological materials, such as manure, algae, or crops, through solid-liquid separation, centrifugation, and pH adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manure is stored in lagoons for nutrient reclamation, then nutrient recovery potential is improved, but water quality deterioration and pathogen release worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts phosphorus and proteins from manure through a two-step process: first treating wet solids with acidic solution to dissolve phosphorus into supernatant, then treating the precipitate with basic solution to dissolve proteins. This extraction removes harmful substances from manure storage systems, preventing water quality deterioration while recovering valuable nutrients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts harmful manure waste into valuable resources by recovering phosphorus as fertilizer and proteins as commercial products. The acidic and basic treatments transform the harmful organic waste into useful chemical compounds, turning an environmental problem into an economic opportunity.
2Quantity of substance
If commercial fertilizer based on phosphate rock is used, then phosphorus supply is improved, but resource depletion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers phosphorus from manure waste that would otherwise be discarded or cause pollution. By extracting phosphorus from the acidic supernatant and producing it as a fertilizer product, the system recycles this essential nutrient, reducing dependence on finite phosphate rock reserves and preventing resource depletion.
3Ease of operation
If traditional anaerobic lagoon treatment is used, then waste disposal is simplified, but nutrient reclamation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manure treatment process into distinct stages: solid-liquid separation, acidic treatment of solids, separation of supernatant and precipitate, basic treatment of precipitate, and separate recovery of phosphorus and proteins. This segmentation allows each component to be treated optimally for maximum nutrient reclamation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes, specifically pH transitions, to selectively dissolve different nutrients. Acidic conditions (low pH) dissolve phosphorus from wet solids, while basic conditions (high pH) dissolve proteins from the precipitate. These parameter changes enable selective and efficient nutrient reclamation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively recovers phosphorus and proteins, reducing environmental impact and the need for commercial fertilizers, while improving waste treatment efficiency and water quality.
Implementation Method 1
The wet solids may then be dissolved in an acidic solution. The resulting supernatant from the acidic treatment may then be separated and phosphorus reclaimed therefrom.
Implementation Method 2
The resulting precipitate from the acidic treatment may be separated from the supernatant and treated with a basic solution. The resulting supernatant following the basic treatment may then be separated and protein reclaimed therefrom.
Implementation Method 3
Biological material, for example in the form of wet solids from raw manure, may first be separated out by a solid-liquid separator.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for separating nutrients, such as phosphorus and protein, from biological materials may be disclosed. Biological material, for example in the form of wet solids from raw manure, may first be separated out by a solid-liquid separator. The wet solids may then be dissolved in an acidic solution. The resulting supernatant from the acidic treatment may then be separated and phosphorus reclaimed therefrom. The resulting precipitate from the acidic treatment may be separated from the supernatant and treated with a basic solution. The resulting supernatant following the basic treatment may then be separated and protein reclaimed therefrom. In some embodiments, the supernatant resulting from the acidic treatment may itself be alkalinized, creating a precipitate which contains phosphorus solids and a supernatant which can be separated from the phosphorus solids and used as the basic solution with which to treat the precipitate resulting from the acidic treatment. Further, the system may be used to extract phosphorus and proteins from other biological materials, such as algae or crops.