Selective Removal of Mixed Phosphates by Activated Alumina

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Abstract
This article demonstrates that those forms of phosphate normally introduced into water streams as detergent and fertilizer wastes may be selectively sorbed by a column of activated alumina. The forms of phosphate of concern include sodium orthophosphate (OP), NaH2PO4 tetra‐sodium pyrophosphate (PP), Na4P207, penta‐sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), Na5P3010, and sodium hexametaphosphate (RTP), (NaP03)n (for these experiments, (NaPO3)8.4 avg. was used). Whereas conventional alum treatment for phosphate decontamination increases the concentration of sulfate ion in the treated water stream, activated alumina treatment does not. The sorption and regeneration data presented demonstrate that the selective removal of phosphates by activated alumina is both efficient and economical.