Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2022

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Chemosphere

Source ISSN

0045-6535

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133908

Abstract

Bio-adsorption using high-affinity phosphate-binding proteins (PBP) has demonstrated effective phosphorus removal and recovery in batch-scale tests. Subsequent optimization of design and performance of fixed-bed column systems is essential for scaling up and implementation. Here, continuous-flow fixed-bed column tests were used to investigate the adsorption of inorganic phosphate (orthophosphate, Pi) using phosphate-binding proteins immobilized on resin (PBP–NHS) targeting Pi removal to ultra-low levels followed by recovery. Time to breakthrough decreased with higher influent Pi concentration, smaller bed volume, and higher influent flow rates. The Thomas and Yoon-Nelson breakthrough models adequately described PBP-NHS resin performance with a correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.95. The sharp S-shape of the breakthrough curves for both Pi-only solution and multi-ion solution indicated highly favorable and selective separation of Pi using PBP-NHS resin, beyond that achieved using LayneRT™, a commercial ion exchange resin. The Pi adsorption capacity of the PBP-NHS column was unaffected by competing anions, whereas capacity of the LayneRT™ column dropped by 20%. Tertiary wastewater effluent was also successfully treated in PBP-NHS column tests with a typical S-shaped breakthrough curve. Operating the fixed-bed column in multi-cycle mode evidenced the reusability of PBP-NHS resin with no significant decline in column performance. The results of this study contribute to efforts to scale up designs of PBP-NHS adsorption systems.

Comments

Accepted version. Chemosphere, Vol. 295 (May 2022): 133908. DOI. © 2022 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Available for download on Monday, June 03, 2024

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