| The problem with ammonia in wastewater has | | | | operate than other types of treatment. However, |
| become a major concern throughout the world, | | | | this type of treatment requires higher capital |
| particularly in United States. About half of the | | | | because the aeration basins and clarifiers are |
| states in U.S, including the District of Columbia, | | | | constructed from expensive concrete materials. |
| have followed the rules in pursuant to EPA's 1999 | | | | Extended Aeration |
| water quality criteria for ammonia removal. | | | | The extended treatment process is almost the |
| From plastics to explosives, ammonia makes up | | | | same as the conventional activated sludge |
| most of the products used in different industries. | | | | treatment because it uses the latter's exact |
| Ammonia discharged from factories or industrial | | | | mechanical equipment such aeration basins, |
| plants may run through the sewage systems | | | | clarifiers, return activated sludge, and waste |
| known as wastewater. High concentrations of | | | | activated sludge process. The only dissimilarity is |
| ammonia are toxic to humans and animals that is | | | | that extended aeration requires longer hydraulic |
| why sanitation engineers and government are | | | | and solid residence during the process. |
| working closely in removing ammonia from | | | | Longer hydraulic and solid residences enhance the |
| wastewater. Untreated volumes of ammonia in | | | | quality of wastewater produced from this |
| wastewater can disperse on the air, and affect | | | | treatment. With sufficient oxygen, extended |
| those who have inhaled the chemical. This can also | | | | aeration treatment can provide high levels of |
| bring serious illnesses and skin disorders due to | | | | biological nitrification. One disadvantage of |
| physical contact or consummation of ammonia. | | | | extended aeration is the cumbersome equipment |
| There are various wastewater treatment | | | | needed to achieve longer hydraulic and solid |
| technologies used nowadays in removing ammonia | | | | residence. People on tight budget will not consider |
| from wastewater. Here are some of the | | | | buying this equipment because it is pricey. |
| common treatments for ammonia wastewater | | | | Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) |
| removal: | | | | The membrane bioreactor has three main |
| Biological Nitrification | | | | components: anoxic basins, pre-aeration basins, |
| Biological infiltration is a water treatment process | | | | and the MBR basins. The treatment begins by |
| utilized to convert ammonia into nitrate using | | | | filtering the raw wastewater through the fine |
| aerobic autotrophic bacteria. The biological | | | | screen, and the refined fluid is then sent to the |
| infiltration uses two types of bacteria: the bacteria | | | | anoxic basin, and lastly to the MBR basins. The |
| that oxidise ammonia to nitrite (nitrosomonas) and | | | | membranes located in the MBR basins push the |
| the bacteria that oxidise nitrite to nitrate | | | | effluent for disinfection prior to discharge. |
| (nitrobacter). Both types of autotrophic bacteria | | | | The membrane bioreactor treatment is |
| need proper biomass, right environment, and | | | | considered to be one of the effective solutions |
| sufficient air to treat biochemical oxygen demand. | | | | because it produces high effluent quality without |
| Nitrification requires ample amount of oxygen to | | | | extensive clarification or filtration and promotes |
| carry out the process. | | | | total nitrogen removal. Moreover, if the two |
| Conventional Activated Sludge | | | | previous treatments are expensive, MBR is much |
| There are various systems used in conventional | | | | more costly to own and maintain. The |
| sludge treatments such as complete-mix, plug | | | | maintenance and replacement for the equipments |
| flow, and step feed treatment. All of these types | | | | require attention, and the cost to meet the |
| have the same frame for aeration and clarifier. | | | | operation is a bit pricey. |
| Ammonia is converted through the aeration | | | | There are other treatments available, but it is |
| basins. | | | | highly recommended to consult an engineer |
| This treatment is proven effective in treating | | | | before opting for a treatment. |
| different types of wastewater, and easier to | | | | |