Concurrent phosphorus capture and adsorbent reclamation in a microparticle dynamic membrane system through operation optimization

Excessive phosphorus input drives eutrophication, threatening aquatic ecosystems and water security. However, efficient phosphorus removal and facile adsorbent recovery remain key challenges in wastewater treatment. To remove phosphorus from water while efficiently recovering adsorbents, this study proposes an innovative chitosan-based adsorption dynamic membrane (ADM) system, aiming to achieve simultaneous phosphorus removal and adsorbent recovery, thereby integrating environmental protection with resource recovery. In this study, system performance was enhanced through the optimization of key operational parameters. The results showed that a higher Ca-PAC-CTS concentration increased filtration resistance, accelerated dynamic membrane formation, and improved adsorbent recovery efficiency. Increasing the flow rate facilitated the rapid development of transmembrane pressure and reduced effluent turbidity, thereby contributing to more effective pollutant removal. The optimal operating conditions were determined as a flow rate of 4.8 L/h, a Ca-PAC-CTS concentration of 1.0 g/L, and a hydraulic retention time of 5 min, under which phosphorus removal and adsorbent recovery efficiencies both exceeded 80%. Overall, this study highlights the potential of ADM systems for efficient phosphorus capture and adsorbent recovery, providing support for the development of sustainable and low-carbon technologies in wastewater treatment.