Struvite scale forms in wastewater digestion and post-digestion processes, often fouling equipment and obstructing pipes. Some facilities expend significant maintenance resources removing struvite accumulation, and some facilities attempt to control struvite formation. Design decisions and operation and maintenance strategies for wastewater treatment facilities are affected by struvite scale potential. OWP developed a computer model, the Struvite Tool, to calculate the struvite precipitation potential for a facility based on water quality parameters input by the user. The tool also allows the user to vary input parameters to determine "what if" scenarios when conditions are changed to control struvite precipitation.
OWP Tasks
- Conducted Literature Review to Identify Thermodynamic Constants
- Developed Struvite Equilibrium Chemistry Modeling Equations
- Developed Computer Model Using Damped Newton's Method
- Coded Computer Model Using VBA in Excel
- Calibrated and Verified Model Using MINEQL+ and Field Data
- Developed Commercially Available Struvite Tool Model
Report/Study Link:
OWP Contacts: Kevin Murphy
