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

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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 ultrasonication 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 1.5W·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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment (Ministry of Education), Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, 130118, China

    Liangliang Wei & Qingliang Zhao

  2. School of Municipal & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China

    Liangliang Wei, Kun Wang, Guangyi Liu, Qingliang Zhao & Fuyi Cui

  3. Center of Science & Technology of Construction of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development of P. R. China, Beijing, 100835, China

    Xiangjuan Kong

  4. Procter & Gamble Company, Guangzhou, 510620, China

    Shuang Cui

Authors
  1. Liangliang Wei
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  2. Kun Wang
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  3. Xiangjuan Kong
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  4. Guangyi Liu
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  5. Shuang Cui
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  6. Qingliang Zhao
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  7. Fuyi Cui
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Correspondence to Kun Wang.

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Wei, L., Wang, K., Kong, X. et al. Application of ultra-sonication, acid precipitation and membrane filtration for co-recovery of protein and humic acid from sewage sludge. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 10, 327–335 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0763-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-014-0763-9

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