Investigation of ammonia stripping with a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor

Ammonia is a commonly used compound in the domestic and industrial fields. If ammonia found in wastewater after use is not treated, even at low concentrations it may cause toxic effects in the receiving environment. In this study, a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (HDC) was designed with the aim of removing ammonia. The effect of parameters like different cavitation numbers, airflow, temperature and initial concentration on NH3 removal was researched. The potential of hydrodynamic cavitation for removal of volatile gases, like NH3, was assessed with the aid of two film theory mathematical equations. Experimental studies were performed at fixed pH = 11. Under the conditions of 0.12 cavitation number, 25 L/min airflow, 30 °C temperature and 2500 mg/L initial concentration, in 24 h 98.4% NH3 removal efficiency was achieved. With the same experimental conditions without any air, the HDC reactor provided 89.5% NH3 removal at the end of 24 h. The HDC reactor is very effective for the removal of volatile gases from wastewater and it was concluded that even in the absence of aeration, the desired NH3 removal efficiency was provided.