Study on Removal of Ammonia Nitrogen from Metal Working Fluids using Aluminum Electrode
Generally, metal working fluids (MWFs) are used to reduce friction in metalworking processes. In addition to mineral oils, MWFs contain many chemical substances, such as anticorrosive agents, extreme-pressure additives, and stabilizers, as well as high concentrations of organics and ammonia nitrogen. Accordingly, MWFs must be managed to advanced treatment for hydro-ecological conservation. This study investigated the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen from MWFs according to operating time, applied voltage, distance between electrodes, and NaCl concentration using aluminum in a batch-type reactor. The experimental results were as follows: First, without NaCl, removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen were 69.6%, 37.9%, and 22.7%, when the distance between electrodes was adjusted to 1, 4, and 7 cm, respectively, at 15 V for 60 min. Secondly, without NaCl, removal efficiencies of ammonia nitrogen were 49.5 and 90.9% when the voltage was adjusted to 5 V and 10 V, respectively, for 60 min and 94.6% at 15 V for 40 min. Lastly, with the addition of NaCl 10 mM, the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen was 40.3% and 11.5% greater than that of no addition of NaCl at 5 V for 60 min and at 10 V for 30 min.