Prof. Mahmoud Wazne has been funded by the NSF Questor Center of Ireland to investigate removal and recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater by adsorption with low-cost adsorbents derived from waste biomass.

This technology has the potential to solve two problems at the same time, by recovering phosphorus resources that would otherwise be wasted, and by making beneficial use of agricultural wastes. The envisioned nutrient removal process is a truly “green” sustainable practice.

The adsorbent will be developed using biodegradable materials, field tested, and then recycled. The adsorbent will be created by attaching quaternary ammonium salt functional groups to agricultural residues. The functional groups will transform the agricultural residues into “green” anionic exchange resins. The resins will be used to adsorb phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater. The spent resins will be used as fertilizer.”

For more information, please contact:

Keith Sheppard
Professor & Associate Dean of Engineering & Science.
Edwin A. Stevens Hall
Room 216
Phone: 201.216.5260
Fax: 201.216.8372
Keith.Sheppard@stevens.edu

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