Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic evaluation of the value chain in nutrient recovery from wastewater treatment plants for agricultural application.

The recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus is important to promote circular economy in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) of a novel pilot-scale plant aimed at recovering ammonium nitrate and struvite for subsequent application in agriculture was conducted. The nutrient recovery scheme was implemented in the sludge line of the WWTP and included (i) struvite crystallisation and (ii) ion-exchange process combined with gas permeable membrane contactor.