Enhanced Phosphorus Removal From Wastewater by Microflocculation Coupled With Micro‐Nanobubble Flotation: Mechanism and Optimization

ABSTRACT Achieving ultra‐low phosphorus levels (< 0.05 mg L − 1 ) in wastewater effluents is a critical engineering challenge for mitigating eutrophication. This study developed a coupled microflocculation and micro‐nanobubble flotation process for enhancing phosphorus removal. Comprehensive screening determined that 50 mg L −1 polyaluminum chloride coupled with 1.0 mg L −1 cationic polyacrylamide provided optimal microflocculation performance. Orthogonal experiments confirmed that a hydraulic retention time of 15 min, aeration rate of 200 L h −1 , and dissolved air pressure of 0.60 MPa resulted in the highest TP removal efficiency. The process was able to reduce TP in actual secondary effluent from 0.86 to 0.036 mg L −1 , achieving an average removal efficiency of 95.8% over 30 days of continuous operation. Mechanistic analysis revealed that high dissolved air pressure (0.60 MPa) was critical for generating a dense, bimodal distribution of micro‐ and nanobubbles with extended residence times, dramatically increasing bubble‐floc collision and electrostatic attachment efficiency. This study establishes a highly efficient technology for meeting increasingly stringent phosphorus discharge standards in municipal wastewater treatment.