title: Removal of ammonium and phosphates from wastewater resulting from the process of cochineal extraction using MgO-containing by-product.
abstract: The wastewater produced by the cochineal extract process to obtain the carminic acid colouring pigment (carmin red E120) has high concentrations of phosphates and ammonium. It is known that both ions can be precipitated with magnesium in the form of struvite, MgNH(4)PO(4), or ammonium magnesium phosphate (MAP) compounds. In this study, the use of an alternative MgO-containing by-product is investigated. The optimal pH, reaction time and solid/liquid ratio have been studied. It has been found that the low-grade MgO needed is greater than the stoichiometric value for the full removal of ammonium and phosphate as MAP compounds. Although the low-grade MgO (LG-MgO) reacts slower than pure MgO, it has considerable economic advantages. A batch process has been proposed for the removal of ammonium and phosphates from wastewater obtained in cochineal extracts processing, previously to biological treatment to diminish the COD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, University of Barcelona, Marti i Franques 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chimenos
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segarra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urruticoechea
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Artaza
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Espiell
mesh_terms: D000863:Antacids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008277:Magnesium Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D010710:Phosphates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D008277:Magnesium Oxide