Nutrient recovery from source-separated urine via sorption and a comparative investigation on the improvement of the residual liquid quality.

Human urine, a highly saline solution rich in plant-available nutrients, leaves behind significant organic matter after nutrient recovery, necessitating additional treatment for environmental protection. While nutrient recovery from human urine is well-documented in the literature, research on the safe handling of the residual liquid phase is notably lacking. This study investigates nutrient recovery from source-separated human urine using clinoptilolite for the ion exchange/adsorption process and evaluates the safe management of the residual liquid through anaerobic granular sludge and a second-stage of sorption.