Application of ultra-sonication, acid precipitation and membrane filtration for co-recovery of protein and humic acid from sewage sludge

doi:10.1007/s11783-014-0763-9

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2016, Vol. 10

Issue (2) : 327-335 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0763-9

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Application of ultra-sonication, acid precipitation and membrane filtration for co-recovery of protein and humic acid from sewage sludge

Liangliang WEI^1,²,Kun WANG^2,^*(

),Xiangjuan KONG³,Guangyi LIU²,Shuang CUI⁴,Qingliang ZHAO^1,²,Fuyi CUI²

1. Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun 130118, China
2. School of Municipal & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
3. Center of Science & Technology of Construction of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development of P. R. China, Beijing 100835, China
4. Procter & Gamble Company, Guangzhou 510620, China

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Abstract

A novel method was applied to co-recover proteins and humic acid from the dewatered sewage sludge for liquid fertilizer and animal feed. The proteins in sewage sludge were first extracted using the processes of ultra-sonication and acid precipitation, and then the humic acid was recovered via membrane filtration. The extraction efficiency was 125.9 mg humic acid?g⁻¹VSS volatile suspended solids (VSS) and 123.9 mg proteins?g⁻¹ VSS at the optimal ultrasonic density of 1.5 W?mL⁻¹. FT-IR spectrum results indicated that the recovered proteins and humic acid showed similar chemical characteristic to the natural proteins and humic acid. The acidic solution (pH 2) could be recycled and used more than 10 times during the co-recovery processes. In addition, the dewatered sludge could be easily biodegraded when the humic acid and proteins are extracted, which was essential for further utilization. These findings are of great significance for recovering valuable nutrient from sewage sludge.

Keywords sewage sludge co-recovery proteins humic acid recycling biodegradation rate

Corresponding Author(s): Kun WANG

Online First Date: 11 December 2014 Issue Date: 01 February 2016

Cite this article:

Liangliang WEI,Kun WANG,Xiangjuan KONG, et al. Application of ultra-sonication, acid precipitation and membrane filtration for co-recovery of protein and humic acid from sewage sludge[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2016, 10(2): 327-335.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-014-0763-9
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2016/V10/I2/327

Fig.1 Procedures for the co-recovery of proteins and humic acid from sewage sludge

Fig.2 Disintegration efficiency of ultra-sonication for sludge organics under different ultrasonic density and pH conditions

Fig.3 Disintegration rate of ultra-sonication for sludge proteins and humic acid under different pH conditions

Fig.4 Recovered proteins and humic acid from sludge under different ultrasonic density and pH conditions (solid line represent humic acid, and dotted line represent proteins)

Fig.5 Recovered proteins and humic acid from dewatered sludge under different recycle times of acidic supernatant (pH 2)

Fig.6 FT-IR spectra of the recovered proteins and humic acid from dewatered sludge

Tab.1 Biodegradation rate of the extracted organics in the ultra-sonicated sludge

Fig.7 EEM spectrum of the pre- and post-biodegradation of the ultra-sonicated sludge organics (a and b); pre- and post-biodegradation of the post-protein recovery samples (c and d); and pre- and post-biodegradation of the post-humic acid recovery samples (e and f)

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