Valorisation of cellulosic sludge by fermentation process VFAs production and phosphorus recovery
Primary sludge from municipal wastewater is a potential source for valorisation of cellulosic matter. A possible way to obtain cellulosic sludge is enhanced primary separation using fine mesh sieves. This work investigates volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production and phosphorus (PO4 P) release from the fermentation of cellulosic sludge at two pH conditions (8 and uncontrolled pH) and at constant temperature of 37 oC. Also, the recovery of the released phosphorus by struvite crystallisation was studied. Preliminary results indicated that the cellulosic sludge fermentation liquid (SFL) could be a suitable source of VFAs and PO4 P, in which it is possible to recover PO4 P by struvite crystallisation and then it could be used as carbon source for other biological processes.