This paper presents the applicability of natural zeolite (Clinoptilolite) for recovery of ammonium nitrogen from high-strength wastewater stream. Isotherm experiments showed the ammonium exchange Clinoptilolite followed Freundlich isotherm and its maximum exchange capacity was 18.13 mg NH4+-N/g zeolite. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that a significant amount of nitrogen was adsorbed to the Clinoptilolite. Optimal flowrate for recovery of high concentration ammonium nitrogen was determined at 16 BV/d (=19.2 L/min) throughout the lab-scale column studies operated under various flowrate conditions. This study also provided a method to determine the recovery rate of final product of nitrogen fertilizer based on the model application to the lab-scale continuous data.

• 최오경 | Oh Kyung Choi
• 이관형 | Kwanhyoung Lee
• DongDandan | Dandan Dong
• 이재우 | Jaewoo Lee Corresponding author