Evaluation of Low Energy Requirements in Deammonification Systems

Deammonification systems are widely considered game changers in the field of wastewater treatment given their low energy consumption vis-à-vis traditional nitrogen removal treatment processes. They are particularly effective in dealing with high nitrogen content sidestreams at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) such as centrates and filtrates. Typical energy requirements for the traditional N-DN processes are 6.5 KWhr/KgNH4-N removed (Wett, 2007). The same for deammonification drops to 1 to 1.5 KWhr/KgNH4-N removed in terms of just the energy input into the system. The savings increase further if additional savings on sludge reduction (and hence hauling costs and energy) as well as savings in chemicals (zero external carbon source requirement and lower alkalinity consumption) are considered. The paper discusses the results of a deammonification system pilot study that was conducted at the Henrico WRF, VA to test the pollutant removal efficiency of the system and the energy requirements upon full scale implementation.