Application of struvite-MAP crystallization reactor for treating cattle manure anaerobic digested slurry: Nitrogen and phosphorus recovery and crystal fertilizer efficiency in plant trials

Recycling and reusing the nutrient resources from anaerobic digested slurry is very promising for environmental pollution control and agriculture sustainable development. We focus here on nitrogen and phosphorus recycling in treating cattle manure anaerobic digested slurry by a magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite-MAP) crystallization process and examine the impact of MAP precipitation on plant growth. The MAP crystallization process was studied by a combination of Design-Expert 8.0.6 software, mathematical modeling, and experiments. The influence of Mg/P, N/P and pH on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) recovery was investigated. Then, the fertilizing efficiency of the MAP precipitate on the growth of three vegetables (water spinach (Swamp cabbage), amaranth and Brassica parachinensis) was also evaluated. The results showed that more than 89% of N and 99% of P could be recovered at pH = 10 with molar ratios of Mg/P = 1.6 and N/P = 1.2. Compared with the control pots and potassium chloridepots, the fresh weight, dry weight and average height of swamp cabbage in the MAP pots were obviously enhanced without burning effects. The results showed that MAP precipitation can promote the development of plants, which is promising for its use as a slow-release fertilizer for agricultural production.