The efficiency of zeolites in water treatment for combating ammonia – An experimental study on Yamuna River water & treated sewage effluents

Abstract

This study was meant to study the effectiveness of natural and synthetic zeolites in water treatment for combating ammonia nitrogen so that specific zeolites could be utilized at waterworks and sewage disposal works. In this study, three different zeolites were utilized in their pristine state, namely natural clinoptilolite, natural mordenite, and synthetic zeolites 4A. We examined the zeolites for their ammonia removal capacity. We performed experimental studies on synthetically prepared ammonia water, the Yamuna River water, and municipally treated sewage effluents by using Jar Test Apparatus at 100 RPM. Ammonia nitrogen content was determined by nesslerization standard method using a spectrophotometer. It has been observed that all zeolites are significantly effective in treating ammonia nitrogen in artificially prepared ammonia nitrogen water without having competing ions interference. However, because competing ions interfere in natural water, its use limits ammonium ions removal. Based on the present study outcomes, the authors have suggested replacing sand media from Rapid Sand Filters and Slow Sand Filters with Mordenite and Clinoptilolite at municipal water treatment utilities to combat low amounts of ammonium ions.