Applied of Ion Exchange and Nitrification Processes in Ammonium Removal From Polluted Water In Batch System

Nitrogen compounds have received special consideration among various and complex pollutants of wastewaters because of certain problems they cause after discharging into water resources. Nitrification and Ion exchange are two major methods for removing of nitrogen compounds. Combination of these two methods is implied in this research. In this study, the capacity of graded Clinoptilolite from Semnan supplied in three meshes of 20, 30 and 40 had been determined for ammonium removal in batch system. For the cultivation of nitrify bacteria a sludge sample taken from domestic wastewater treatment plant and the other required nutrients were added in the batch reactor and the effect of nitrate anion and MLVSS on nitrification process has also been determined. In the continuous of the study, biological regeneration of saturated zeolite with ammonium has been down by contact of zeolite and nitrifies bacteria in batch system.The results show the ammonium exchange capacity for the different mesh was 6.65 to 16mg ammonium per gram of ion exchanger as total capacity in batch system. According to the results obtained from nitrification test it could be concluded that nitrification is accelerated by increase in MLVSS concentration and concentration of nitrate remain in the range of 100 to 300 meq/l.The results obtain from bioregeneration tests by nitrifying bacteria show the efficiency of regeneration was 78 to 91 % in the period of 2 to 5.5 hours for batch wise operation.Thus the use of nitrifying bacteria in bioregeneration of zeolite is possible and in regard to high concentration of nitrate after regeneration, the use of nitrifying sludge in several cycles is possible.