A new Method for the Removal of Ammonium from Drinking Water Using Hybrid Method of Modified Zeolites / Catalytic Ozonation

Ammonia in form of ammonium ions is toxic and could decrease the dissolved oxygen in water and endanger the aquatic life. The aim of this study is the removal of ammonium using oxidation and adsorption by catalytic ozonation and clinoptilolite zeolite, respectively.

The research method is Experimental. First, optimal pH of ammonium adsorption on carbon catalyst (5 g/L), Garmsar and Firoozkooh zeolites and oxidation were determine. Then, in catalytic ozonation process, the effect of other variables on ammonium removal efficiency such as the concentration of carbonic catalyst (0.5- 50 g/L) and the reaction time were investigated. Then the effect of retention time and adsorbent concentration on adsorption of the remaining ammonium and nitrate produced by the oxidation process using zeolites and their modifications were determined.

Resuts:

 The results showed that optimum pH for the ammonium adsorption process by carbon catalyst, catalytic ozonation and zeolite was 8, 9 and 8, respectively. However, the optimum pH 4 was determined for nitrate removal. The highest ammonium absorption capacity was related to natural Firoozookh zeolite and 18.5 mg/g, and the effect of ligand and acid modification decreased 12 and 14% of absorbed capacity, respectively. It is also, the highest nitrate removal efficiency was related to Garmsar ligand modified zeolite (98%) and an absorption capacity of 11.2 mg/g. In the COP/absorption process the concentration of ammonium was decreased to 0.6 m /L.

This method effectively eliminates ammonium, and the modification of zeolite with cationic surfactant increases the efficiency of nitrate removal and the concentrates of all pollutants are brought below standards.