A pilot study on the removal of ammonia from aqueous solution using the integration of struvite synthesis and breakpoint chlorination

Mugwili, Muyahavho E; Waanders, Frans Boudewijn; Masindi, Vhahangwele; Fosso-Kankeu, Elvis

doi:10.22104/aet.2023.5912.1623

A pilot study on the removal of ammonia from aqueous solution using the integration of struvite synthesis and breakpoint chlorination

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Water Pollution Monitoring and Remediation Initiatives Research Group, School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, North-West University, South Africa

² Magalies Water, Scientific Services, Research & Development Division, South Africa

³ Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa

⁴ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Smart Places, Water Centre, Water and Wastewater Research Group, South Africa

⁵ Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa

⁶ Department of Mining Engineering, College of Science Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa

10.22104/aet.2023.5912.1623

Abstract

Herein, a pilot study on the removal of ammonia from surface water using the integration of struvite precipitation and breakpoint chlorination is reported. A two staged pilot plant with a capacity of 1000 liters (1 m³) per run (LPR) was utilized, of which Stage 1 comprised struvite precipitation and Stage 2 comprised breakpoint chlorination. Optimum conditions (i.e., Stage 1) for struvite precipitation were 110 mg/L of Mg and P dosage (concentration), 150 rpm of mixing speed, 60 minutes of contact time, and lastly, 120 minutes of sedimentation, while optimum condition for the breakpoint chlorination (i.e., Stage 2) were 30 minutes of mixing and an 8:1 Cl₂-NH₄⁺ weight ratio. The synergistic effects of this hybrid system proved to be effective, with Stage 1 increasing the pH from 6.8 to 10.1, reducing Mn (≥97.0%) and Fe (≥99.6%) concentrations steeply, and concomitantly deactivated E coli and TPC to ≥ 99% and ≥91%, respectively, while ammonia was reduced from 5.4 mg/L to 2.7 mg/L-N (51.8 %). In Stage 2, i.e., breakpoint chlorination, ammonia was reduced from 2.7 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L-N whilst fully depleting residual microorganisms. Finally, the OPEX amounted to $ 0.31/m³; however, there is a potential for cost savings (≈53.2%) by replacing Kh₂PO₄ with waste phosphoric acid. Lastly, the results from this techno-economic evaluation study showed great potential compared to similar technologies, making this approach a game-changer towards the prudent management of elevated levels of ammonia amongst other problematic contaminants.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Main Subjects

water and wastewater treatment

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