Compositions and methods for the removal of phosphates and other contaminants from aqueous solutions

1. A method of producing a composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution, comprising:

(a) forming a slurry comprising calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, an alkali and a solvent, wherein the molar ratio of the calcium oxide:the silicon dioxide:the alkali ranges from 2.43-2.97:1.12-1.38:0.9-1.1; and

(b) producing the composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution by subjecting the slurry to a hydrothermal process for about 1 to about 6 hours under about 13.5 to 16.5 psi of pressure.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising (c) heating the composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution at about 540° C. to 660° C. for at least about 27 minutes.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkali is selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkali is sodium hydroxide.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, t-butanol, ethanol, formic acid, isopropanol, methanol, nitromethane, water, and a mixture thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises water.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the heating step (c) is performed at about 600° C. for at least 30 minutes.

8. A method of producing a composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution, comprising:

(a) forming a slurry comprising calcium oxide, silicon dioxide, an alkali, a solvent and a metal halide salt, wherein the molar ratio of the calcium oxide:the silicon dioxide:the alkali:the metal halide salt ranges from 48.6-59.4:22.5-27.5:18-22:4.95-6.05; and

(b) producing the composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution by subjecting the slurry to a hydrothermal process for about 1 to about 6 hours under about 13.5 to 16.5 psi of pressure.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising (c) heating the composition capable of removing phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals from a solution at about 540° C. to 660° C. for at least about 27 minutes.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the alkali is selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the alkali is sodium hydroxide.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, t-butanol, ethanol, formic acid, isopropanol, methanol, nitromethane, water, and a mixture thereof.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solvent comprises water.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the metal halide salt is selected from the group consisting of aluminum chloride, ferric chloride, lanthanum chloride, and magnesium chloride.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the metal halide salt is ferric chloride hexahydrate.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the heating step (c) is performed at 600° C. for at least 30 minutes.

17. A composition produced by the method of claim 1 .

18. A method of removing phosphates, nitrates and/or heavy metals from a solution, comprising contacting and reacting the composition of claim 17 with a solution containing phosphates, nitrates and/or heavy metals.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the solution is contained within a reaction chamber and the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution under centrifugal force.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the solution is a final DAF or process stream.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution by way of a portion injector.

22. The method of claim 18 , wherein the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution by slurry broadcast.

23. The method of claim 18 , wherein the composition is formed into a buried barrier.

24. The method of claim 18 , wherein the composition is in the form of a flocculant and further comprises a polymer.

25. A composition produced by the method of claim 8 .

26. A method of removing phosphates, nitrates and/or heavy metals from a solution, comprising contacting and reacting the composition of claim 25 with a solution containing phosphates, nitrates and/or heavy metals.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the solution is contained within a reaction chamber and the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution under centrifugal force.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein the solution is a final DAF or process stream.

29. The method of claim 26 , wherein the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution by way of a portion injector.

30. The method of claim 26 , wherein the composition is contacted and reacted with the solution by slurry broadcast.

31. The method of claim 26 , wherein the composition is formed into a buried barrier.

32. The method of claim 26 , wherein the composition is in the form of a flocculant and further comprises a polymer.

33. The method of claim 4 , wherein the solvent comprises water.

34. The method of claim 11 , wherein the solvent comprises water.