Phosphorus (P) is a limited yet essential resource. P cannot be replaced, but it can be recovered from waste. We proposed the TRIZ approach (Teoria reszenija izobretatielskich zadacz - Rus., Theory of Inventive Problem Solving - Eng.) to identify a feasible solution. We aimed at minimizing the environmental impact and, by eliminating contradictions, proposed viable technical solutions. P recovery can be more sustainable based on circular economy and 4Rs (reduction, recovery, reuse, and recycling). The TRIZ approach identified sewage sludge (SS) as waste with a large potential for P recovery (up to 90%). Successful selection and application of SS management and P recovery require a transdisciplinary approach to overcome the various socio-economic, environmental, technical, and legal aspects. The review provides an understanding of principles that must be taken to improve understanding of the whole process of P recovery from wastewater while building on the last two decades of research.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jacek_koziel/406/
This article is published as Jama-Rodzeńska, Anna, Andrzej Białowiec, Jacek A. Koziel, and Józef Sowiński. "Waste to phosphorus: A transdisciplinary solution to P recovery from wastewater based on the TRIZ approach." Journal of Environmental Management 287 (2021): 112235. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112235. Posted with permission.