The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing
phosphorus from phosphorus containing waste. In one embodiment, the
method is preferably carried out by contacting the phosphorus containing
waste with a non-cellular membrane and precipitating phosphorus from the
waste as struvite. Another aspect of the invention includes a method of
removing phosphorus from phosphorus containing sewage comprising
filtrates and biosolids. The removal of phosphorus as struvite occurs in
two stages as primary and secondary removal. In the primary removal
process, the sewage from a dewatering unit is contacted with a first
polymeric membrane reactor and the phosphorus is removed as primary
struvite. Subsequently Mg is added so as promote struvite formation and
the secondary removal process of struvite. In the secondary removal
process, the sewage from GBT Filtrate well or Centrifuge Liquor well is
contacted with a second monomolecular membrane and the phosphorus is
removed as secondary struvite.