| abstract |
The invention pertains to a method for removing phosphate from a phosphate-containing water fraction comprising the steps of contacting a phosphate-containing water fraction with an adsorbent, the adsorbent comprising a complex of Fe (III) and oxidised cellulose, the oxidised cellulose having a carboxylate content of at least 200 microequivalent carboxylate per gram, and withdrawing an effluent water fraction from the adsorbent, wherein the complex of Fe (III } and oxidised cellulose has an Fe(III) content of at most 70 wt. %, expressed as metallic iron, per gram of oxidised cellulose. It has been found that the use of this specific adsorbent makes it possible to obtain effluent water fractions with very low phosphate contents. Further, it has been found that the adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity, expressed in mg of phosphate per gram of adsorbent. The adsorbent can be regenerated in an efficient manner to allow re-use. It is based on a biobased, degradable material. |