Struvite Formation and its many Variations in Wastewater Operations

Struvite and Vivianite Scale comes to our lab in many different colors, textures, hardness, formations, sizes and from various locations in plants as well as different types of operations.

There are many different variables when it comes to the formation of struvite, including where it is forming, what other chemicals are used, the centrate, as well as the type of operation.

Our Struvite Remover and Descaler has worked on all the samples sent in to us for our lab testing to put its effectiveness to the test. We will be happy to run our tests free of charge and send you samples as well for your own testing.

Contact us today to discuss your Struvite, Vivianite, or Scale problems and get your free samples and testing done.

www.struviteremoval.com or 310-715-3070

Struvite Formation and its Locations

Struvite Formation Locations

There are several locations in a wastewater treatment plant where struvite will form. The first location that may occur is from an accumulation in the piping, especially in the elbows where there is a great deal of turbulence. If there is the slightest build up and you attempt to remove the struvite unsuccessfully, struvite formation will occur within days on the small crystals still in the elbow. The same will hold true for the plant’s centrifuges, pumps, belts and other equipment where there is a high velocity of turbulence.

Wastewater treatment plants find Struvite crystal formations in many of the following areas:

Anaerobic digesters
Aeration assembly
Rollers of the Belt Press
Rotary drum filters
Screw presses
Belt presses
Places of high kinetic energy (turbulence)
Pipe connections - elbows
Pumps
Valves
Internal pump components
Overflow box of the anaerobic digesters
Sludge transfer lines
Centrifuge

It should also be noted that rough surface areas are also excellent nucleic sites for Struvite crystals. When Struvite is not 100% removed from external and internal surfaces, the remaining rough edges are where struvite and vivianite will form again.

Struvite Formation Tale Tell Signs

• A high pH is a warning for the potential to form struvite
• High conductivity increases the potential for formation
• Low temperatures foster the environment for formation
• Higher concentrations of ammonium, phosphate and magnesium