Ammonia is difficult to ...

Ammonia is difficult to remove from water. It can be removed by cation exchange resin in the hydrogen form, which requires use of acid as a regenerant. Degasification can also be effective.The ammonium ion is not harmful to health, but its presence, especially in surface water, can be considered as an indicator of pollution. However, it is an annoying element because it interferes with chlorinationTo form chloramines that alter the odor and taste of water (chlorine taste), and is also a food for some bacteria which can thus proliferate in the distribution networks. It should therefore be removed from the water intended for human consumption.

Ammonium Removal Techniques:

1.Chemical oxidation: an efficient process to use under very precise conditions.The oxidant used is chlorine which is injected at a concentration beyond the critical point(Break-point) so that it has reacted with all the nitrogen compounds present in the water

2.Ionic exchange: a simple process that raises the problem of its own releases. It is possible to use natural resins, zeolites (chabazite, modernite, clinoptilolite), or synthetic resins, these. The latter being preferred for reasons of longevity and ease of implementation. These, of cationic type, fix calcium and magnesium ions, and, to a lesser extent, ammonium ions. Their use is therefore justified onlyIn the context of a softening treatment. They then allow the removal of ammonia and possibly even some cationic micropollutants (arsenic, gallium ...). This process is based on the exchange of ammonium ions contained in the water with sodium ions contained in the resin.

3. Stripping: a process unsuited to drinking water.Ammonia is a weak base which hydrolyzes in water to form ammonium and hydroxide ions.

4.La filtration biologique : un procédé performant mais nécessitant certaines contraintes d’exploitation L’élimination biologique de l’ammonium (nitrification) s’effectue en deux étapes, mettant en œuvre deux types de bactéries aérobies et autotrophes (c'est-à-dire consommatrices de carbone minéral), qui transforment l’ion ammonium en nitrites.

However,the problem has not been fully resolved.The advantages and disadvantages of each allowing to choose the most appropriate according to specific constraints.However, if the effectiveness of the treatments makes it possible to get rid of the problems due to ammonium,efforts are needed to reduce pollution at source.

Best regards,

Daniela Anghel