REMOVAL OF AMMONIA FROM DISTILLERY WASTE-WATER BY ION EXCHANGE

Abstract

This paper evaluates the removal of ammonium ions from wastewater and its subsequent treatment. The project is based upon a case study of a local distillery facing a problem of odor and wastewater disposal management because of the presence of high concentrations of ammonia, for which ion exchange principal for treatment was employed. Ion exchange has the ability to handle shock loadings and the treated water can be recycled again in the manufacturing processes like cooling towers etc. For this, an ion exchange bed containing naturally occurring zeolite along with silica gel and activated carbon was created to treat the water. The bed created is highly efficient to remove odor and gradually remove the ammonium ions at low costs rather than the conventional expensive equipment. The main aim is to provide solutions at cheaper costs and to maintain and provide sustainable solutions for the treatment of such wastewater.