Phosphorus recovery from wastewater

Phosphorus is essential for life and a non-renewable resource. Despite uncertainty regarding the estimated timeframe for depletion of world phosphorus reserves, the possibility of increasing prices and dwindling supplies is driving research into options to recover and recycle this essential resource. Phosphorus recovery from wastewater has been proven both technically and economically viable and can be achieved in centralised and decentralised settings. This project considers factors which may favour centralised phosphorus recovery in Australia, and compares the environmental impacts of different phosphorus recovery methods using life cycle assessment.

Research Team:    Greg Leslie 
                                Zenah Bradford-Hartke                            

Collaborators:       Paul Lant (University of Queensland)