Ammoniacal Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater: Effective Treatment Methods
Ammoniacal nitrogen (NHββΊ-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.
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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 (NHββΊ) is converted into nitrite (NOββ») and nitrate (NOββ») by nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter).
- Requires oxygen and an optimum pH of 7.5β8.5.
Denitrification (Anoxic Process):
- Nitrate (NOββ») is converted into nitrogen gas (Nβ) by denitrifying bacteria.
- Occurs in oxygen-depleted conditions, requiring a carbon source like methanol or acetate.
b) Anammox (Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation)
- Converts ammonium (NHββΊ) and nitrite (NOββ») directly into nitrogen gas (Nβ).
- 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 (NHββΊ) into ammonia gas (NHβ), 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 (MgNHβPOβ), 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) β Combine biological treatment with ultrafiltration for enhanced ammonia removal.
- Electrochemical Oxidation β Uses electrolysis to convert ammonia into nitrogen gas.
- Constructed Wetlands β Natural treatment using plants and microbes to remove ammonia.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) β A high-pressure filtration system that removes ammonium, nitrates, and other contaminants from wastewater.
- Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) β Uses ozone (Oβ), UV-HβOβ, or Fentonβs reagent for chemical oxidation of ammonia in wastewater.
Conclusion
The selection of an Β 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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