Crystallization of struvite from metastable region with different types of seed crystal

Abstract

The main feature of this paper was to recognize struvite crystallization in the metastable region of supersaturation. Thermodynamic equilibria of struvite were simulated to identify the minimum struvite solubility limit, thereafter validated by existing thermodynamic modelling packages such as PHREEQC and the derived data from existing struvite solubility curve. Using laser light scattering detection, spontaneous nucleation was identified by the slow increase of pH in a supersaturated solution of struvite. The crystallization experiment, conducted close to the saturation region in metastable zone, initiated struvite growth. The conducted experiment showed that mother crystal (struvite) was more effective as seeds for struvite crystallization.