Anaerobic-ion exchange (AN-IX) process for local-scale nitrogen recovery from wastewater. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Daniel P.; Smith, Nathaniel T.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 196(2015)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Nitrogen -- Wastewater -- Ammonium -- Ion exchange -- Resource recovery; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Anaerobic-ion exchange (AN-IX) process recovers sanitation water nitrogen at source. AN-IX couples anaerobic upflow solids blanket treatment and ion exchange. 57 L field prototype recovered >95% sanitation water nitrogen for 14 months. AN-IX operates passively with small footprint, limited maintenance and no energy. Anaerobic-ion exchange is a platform for local-scale nitrogen cycling. Abstract: An anaerobic-ion exchange (AN-IX) process was developed for point-of-origin recovery of nitrogen from household wastewater. The process features upflow solids-blanket anaerobic treatment (ammonification) followed by ammonium ion exchange onto natural zeolite. The AN-IX system is configured as a series of linked upflow chambers that operate passively without energy input, and is amenable to intermittent and seasonal operation. A 57 L prototype was operated for over 1.8 years treating actual wastewater under field conditions. Total nitrogen removal exceeded 96% through the first 160 days of operation and effluent ammonium nitrogen remained below detection for 300 days. Ion exchange chambers exhibited sequential NH4 + -N breakthrough over extended operation and complete media exhaustion was approached at Day 355. The ammonium capacity of zeolite was estimated as 13.5 mg NH4 + -N per gram dry weight. AN-IX is a resilient and cost effective process for local-scale nitrogen recovery and reuse, suitable for small scale and larger systems.