Breakpoint Chlorination
Ammonia wastewater is also treatable with chlorine (gas or hypochlorite), with simple equipment. Breakpoint chlorination is when there is sufficient chlorine to react with all present ammonia. Products include non-toxic chloramines, harmless nitrogen gas, and hydrochloric acid (wastewater becomes acidic).
Breakpoint chlorination is an excellent polish, removing virtually all ammonia and beneficially sanitizing the water. However, it requires appropriate safety training and equipment and chlorine consumption is directly proportional to ammonia mass, so for some wastewaters it can require large, expensive quantities of chlorine.
Because of relatively high operating costs but low capital costs, it is best suited for low ammonia levels (e.g. < 50 mg/L NH3) or low flow rates (i.e. < 10 m3/day), especially when the need is periodic (e.g. 10% of the year).
Contact us with your ammonia wastewater chemistry, flow rates, and treatment goals for an options assessment today.