Phosphorus removal from calf manure under practical conditions

Abstract A process for the removal of phosphorus from calf manure by treatment with lime has been tested in a purification plant for about 300 calf places. Phosphorus was removed in the aeration tank, simultaneously with biological oxidation, phosphorus removal being controlled by the pH in the tank. With increasing pH, increasing phosphorus removal was accomplished, combined with an improved biological oxidation. More than 95% phosphorus removal could be achieved, and this gave less than 10 mg P per litre in the effluent. The costs were estimated at Dfl. 2 to Dfl. 3 for each calf.