Bioreactor Ammonium Nitrate Production With Low-Ammonia Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nitrogen recovery methods in wastewater treatment and agriculture are energy-intensive, inefficient, and result in volatile ammonia emissions, limiting the effectiveness of nutrient recovery and application.
Innovation Solution
An industrial system utilizing a partial nitritation and complete nitratation process, combined with a mechanical vapor recompression cycle and reverse osmosis, to produce a stable ammonium nitrate solution without additional buffers or carbon, optimizing pH and bacterial activity for efficient nutrient recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional nitrification and denitrification processes are used for nitrogen recovery, then nitrogen can be removed from wastewater, but the process becomes energy-intensive requiring significant aeration and chemical additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional two-step nitrification-denitrification process into a single simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) process occurring in one reactor zone. This segmentation allows both oxidation and reduction of nitrogen compounds to occur concurrently, eliminating the need for separate aeration and anaerobic zones, thereby reducing overall aeration energy consumption while maintaining nitrogen removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the nitrification and denitrification processes into a single simultaneous operation within the same reactor. By combining these traditionally separate processes, the system eliminates the need for alternating aeration cycles and chemical additives for pH buffering, significantly reducing energy consumption and chemical usage while achieving effective nitrogen recovery.
2Loss of substance
If ammonia is recovered and stored for agricultural use, then nitrogen can be reused as fertilizer, but ammonia volatility causes nitrogen loss and odorous emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of recovered nitrogen from volatile ammonia to stable ammonium nitrate through controlled nitrification and neutralization processes. This parameter change in chemical composition eliminates ammonia volatility, preventing nitrogen loss and odorous emissions during storage and transport, while maintaining the nutrient value for agricultural application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful volatile ammonia byproduct into beneficial stable ammonium nitrate fertilizer. By utilizing the nitrification process to oxidize ammonia to nitrate and then neutralizing with carbon dioxide to form ammonium nitrate, the system transforms a harmful emissions problem into a valuable, stable agricultural nutrient that can be stored and transported without loss or odor.
3Loss of substance
If conventional wastewater treatment processes are used, then nitrogen can be removed, but additional carbon sources and pH adjustment chemicals are required increasing operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the wastewater itself to serve as the carbon source for denitrification by utilizing organic matter present in the influent. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external carbon source additions. Additionally, the system uses the wastewater's own alkalinity and produces carbonate buffers during the process, making pH adjustment chemicals unnecessary and simplifying operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional process where the same reactor simultaneously performs nitrification, denitrification, pH buffering, and carbon source utilization. This universality eliminates the need for separate chemical addition systems for carbon sources and pH adjustment, reducing operational complexity and costs while maintaining effective nitrogen removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves economical and efficient production of concentrated ammonium nitrate with reduced environmental impact, suitable for long-term storage and targeted soil amendment, addressing the inefficiencies of traditional nitrogen recovery methods.
Implementation Method 1
ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB)
Implementation Method 2
ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB)
Implementation Method 3
reverse osmosis
Implementation Method 4
mechanical vapor recompression cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for producing ammonium nitrate are disclosed herein. Exemplary systems can comprise a bioreactor positioned to receive a feed including ammonia. The bioreactor can hold a liquid solution including (i) an ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and (ii) a nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The AOB can facilitate oxidation of the ammonia to produce a nitrite at a nitritation rate and the NOB can facilitate oxidation of the nitrite at a nitratation rate. Thus, the bioreactor can produce a mixed liquor comprising a nitrate biologically. The system can further comprise a filter positioned to receive the mixed liquor and produce a permeate and a sludge. A sensor can measure the concentration of the liquid solution of the bioreactor, and a controller coupled to the sensor can regulate the mass flow of nitrogen and/or phosphorus of the bioreactor feed based on the measured concentration of the liquid solution.