Ammoniacal Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater: Effective Treatment Methods

Ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in wastewater treatment must be removed to prevent environmental damage, comply with discharge regulations, and ensure smooth wastewater treatment plant operations. Various biological treatment methods, physico-chemical, and advanced bioculture wastewater treatment technologies are used for its effective removal.

1. Biological Treatment Methods

Biological processes are widely used due to their cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and sustainability.

a) Nitrification-Denitrification

This is the most common biological process for ammonia removal.

Nitrification (Aerobic Process):

• Ammonia (NH₄⁺) is converted into nitrite (NO₂⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) by nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter).
• Requires oxygen and an optimum pH of 7.5–8.5.

Denitrification (Anoxic Process):

• Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is converted into nitrogen gas (N₂) by denitrifying bacteria.
• Occurs in oxygen-depleted conditions, requiring a carbon source like methanol or acetate.

b) Anammox (Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation)

• Converts ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) directly into nitrogen gas (N₂).
• Reduces aeration costs, energy consumption, and sludge production.
• Used in high-strength ammonia wastewater treatment for industrial effluents and landfill leachate.

c) Use of Specialized Biocultures

• Tailored microbial consortia in the form of bioculture for wastewater treatment enhance nitrification and denitrification efficiency.
• Used in Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to accelerate ammonia breakdown and improve process stability.

2. Physico-Chemical Treatment Methods

Used when biological treatments are insufficient or for high-ammonia industrial wastewater.

a) Air Stripping

• Increases pH (>11) to convert ammonium (NH₄⁺) into ammonia gas (NH₃), which is stripped out using forced aeration.
• Effective for high-strength wastewater but requires pH neutralization before discharge.

b) Chemical Precipitation

• Uses magnesium and phosphate to form struvite (MgNH₄PO₄), which can be removed as a solid and even used as a slow-release fertilizer.

c) Breakpoint Chlorination

• Chlorine oxidizes ammonia into nitrogen gas.
• Effective but costly, with risks of toxic chlorinated byproducts.

d) Ion Exchange & Adsorption

• Zeolites or synthetic resins selectively remove ammonium ions.
• Suitable for low-ammonia wastewater but requires periodic regeneration.

3. Advanced Treatment Technologies

• Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) – Combine biological treatment with ultrafiltration for enhanced ammonia removal.
• Electrochemical Oxidation – Uses electrolysis to convert ammonia into nitrogen gas.
• Constructed Wetlands – Natural treatment using plants and microbes to remove ammonia.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) – A high-pressure filtration system that removes ammonium, nitrates, and other contaminants from wastewater.
• Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) – Uses ozone (O₃), UV-H₂O₂, or Fenton’s reagent for chemical oxidation of ammonia in wastewater.

Conclusion

The selection of an  ammoniacal nitrogen removal method depends on wastewater characteristics, treatment goals, cost considerations, and environmental regulations. Biological processes like bioculture for wastewater treatment and nitrification-denitrification are preferred for municipal wastewater, while physico-chemical and advanced methods are used for industrial effluents with high ammonia loads.

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