Ammonia stripping from MSW landfill leachate in bubble reactors: process modeling and optimization

Abstract

This work presents a study of the ammonia air stripping pro cess in a semi-flow batch bubble reactor as a pre-treatment for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate. In order to assess the optimum treatment conditions from a technical and an economic point of view, the research was carried out in the following steps: 1) experimentation in a pilot plant; 2) mathematical model development; and 3) economic analysis. The experimentation showed that it is possible to achieve high ammonia removal efficiencies even without basificant dosage, if temperature is maintained between approximately 60 and 70°C. The development and calibration of a mathe matical model permitted the study to determine the treat ment efficiency of the process under several operating condi tions. The economic analysis has shown that, with a removal efficiency of approximately 70%, it is convenient to work without basificant dosage and at a temperature of 70°C. These conditions can also be considered optimal from a tech mcal point of view.