Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate

This review focuses on the use of membrane techniques to recover nutrients from the liquid fraction of digestate (LFD) and emphasizes their role in promoting the principles of the circular economy. A range of membrane separation processes are examined, including microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration...

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Main Authors: Magdalena Zielińska, Katarzyna Bułkowska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Membranes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/2/45
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author Magdalena Zielińska
Katarzyna Bułkowska
author_facet Magdalena Zielińska
Katarzyna Bułkowska
author_sort Magdalena Zielińska
collection DOAJ
description This review focuses on the use of membrane techniques to recover nutrients from the liquid fraction of digestate (LFD) and emphasizes their role in promoting the principles of the circular economy. A range of membrane separation processes are examined, including microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO), membrane distillation (MD) and new tools and techniques such as membrane contactors (MCs) with gas-permeable membranes (GPMs) and electrodialysis (ED). Key aspects that are analyzed include the nutrient concentration efficiency, integration with biological processes and strategies to mitigate challenges such as fouling, high energy requirements and scalability. In addition, innovative hybrid systems and pretreatment techniques are examined for their potential to improve the recovery rates and sustainability. The review also addresses the economic and technical barriers to the full-scale application of these technologies and identifies future research directions, such as improving the membrane materials and reducing the energy consumption. The comprehensive assessment of these processes highlights their contribution to sustainable nutrient management and bio-based fertilizer production.
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spelling doaj-art-3d4e86a26d7c4a26af144afeffbec3d92025-08-20T02:03:28ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-02-011524510.3390/membranes15020045Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic DigestateMagdalena Zielińska0Katarzyna Bułkowska1Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna St. 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna St. 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, PolandThis review focuses on the use of membrane techniques to recover nutrients from the liquid fraction of digestate (LFD) and emphasizes their role in promoting the principles of the circular economy. A range of membrane separation processes are examined, including microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis (FO), membrane distillation (MD) and new tools and techniques such as membrane contactors (MCs) with gas-permeable membranes (GPMs) and electrodialysis (ED). Key aspects that are analyzed include the nutrient concentration efficiency, integration with biological processes and strategies to mitigate challenges such as fouling, high energy requirements and scalability. In addition, innovative hybrid systems and pretreatment techniques are examined for their potential to improve the recovery rates and sustainability. The review also addresses the economic and technical barriers to the full-scale application of these technologies and identifies future research directions, such as improving the membrane materials and reducing the energy consumption. The comprehensive assessment of these processes highlights their contribution to sustainable nutrient management and bio-based fertilizer production.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/2/45anaerobic digestatenutrient recoverymembrane separationnitrogenphosphoruscircular economy
spellingShingle Magdalena Zielińska
Katarzyna Bułkowska
Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
Membranes
anaerobic digestate
nutrient recovery
membrane separation
nitrogen
phosphorus
circular economy
title Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
title_full Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
title_fullStr Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
title_full_unstemmed Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
title_short Use of Membrane Techniques for Removal and Recovery of Nutrients from Liquid Fraction of Anaerobic Digestate
title_sort use of membrane techniques for removal and recovery of nutrients from liquid fraction of anaerobic digestate
topic anaerobic digestate
nutrient recovery
membrane separation
nitrogen
phosphorus
circular economy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/2/45
work_keys_str_mv AT magdalenazielinska useofmembranetechniquesforremovalandrecoveryofnutrientsfromliquidfractionofanaerobicdigestate
AT katarzynabułkowska useofmembranetechniquesforremovalandrecoveryofnutrientsfromliquidfractionofanaerobicdigestate