Robust magnetic vivianite recovery from digested sewage sludge: Evaluating resilience to sludge dry matter and particle size variations.

• Phosphorus was recovered as vivianite from digested sludge by a pilot-scale magnetic separator. • Vivianite content in the feed determines the recovery. • Sludge dry matter and viscosity do not influence vivianite recovery. • Vivianite particles of all sizes can be recovered from the magnet. • Particles of less than 10 µm have a lower recovery rate. Phosphorus recovery via vivianite extraction from digested sludge has recently gained considerable interest. The separation of vivianite was demonstrated earlier at the pilot scale, and operational parameters were optimized. In this study, we tested the robustness of this technology by changing the sludge characteristics, such as dry matter, and via that, sludge viscosity, and vivianite particle size. It was proven that the main factor influencing recovery was the concentration of vivianite in the feed. The technology can extract vivianite even when the sludge has higher dry matter (1.8% - 3.3%) and, therefore, higher viscosity. Smaller vivianite sizes (< 10 µm) can still be recovered but at a lower rate. This made magnetic separation applicable to a wide range of wastewater treatment plants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]