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The Effect of Other Cations in Wastewaters on the Ion‐Exchange Removal of Ammonium Ion
Author(s) -
McVeigh R. J.,
Weatherley L. R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
developments in chemical engineering and mineral processing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1932-2143
pISSN - 0969-1855
DOI - 10.1002/apj.5500070108
Subject(s) - chemistry , clinoptilolite , ammonium , zeolite , ion exchange , ammonia , inorganic chemistry , potassium , sodium , ion , wastewater , filtration (mathematics) , waste management , catalysis , organic chemistry , statistics , mathematics , engineering
Traditionally in the water treatment industry biological filtration and activated sludge are the processes used to control ammonia levels. These processes have a slow response time to conditions such as shock loadings and temperature changes. Ion‐exchange can offer a tertiary clean up stage if the previous processes are unable to meet the ammonia consent levels. Secondary treatment wastewaters contain considerable concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium as well as ammonia in the cation form. Previous work has shown that clinoptilolite, a naturally occurring alumino silicate, has a high selectivity for NH 4 + relative to other ions present in wastewaters making it an effective zeolite for the process of ion‐exchange. Investigations into the effect various cations may have on the ion‐exchange removal of ammonium have been carried out. Results are presented of isotherm studies and packed bed breakthrough work for NH 4 + uptake onto the zeolite. Findings show that K + ions tend to have the greatest inhibitory effect on the physio‐chemical process and that ammonium removal capacities can be reduced by over 20%.