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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
09:50
Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
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The eAND process: enabling simultaneous nitrogen-removal and disinfection for WWTP effluent
Jing Ding1, Qingliang Zhao1, Yunshu Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment (SKLUWRE), School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
Water Research
|March 1, 2015
Summary
This study introduces an electrochemical process for wastewater treatment, effectively removing ammonia and nitrate while disinfecting effluent. The eAND process offers a promising tertiary treatment solution for wastewater treatment plants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Technology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Nitrogen species in wastewater effluent pose eutrophication risks.
- Biological treatment often fails to remove all nitrogenous compounds.
- Tertiary treatment is crucial for comprehensive wastewater management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an electrochemical process for ammonia-oxidation, nitrate-reduction, and disinfection (eAND).
- To assess the eAND process performance on synthetic and actual wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent.
- To investigate the kinetics of ammonia removal, nitrate reduction, and coliform inactivation.
Main Methods:
- Development of an electrochemical process (eAND) for tertiary wastewater treatment.
- Performance evaluation using synthetic and actual WWTP effluent.
- Kinetic analysis of ammonia oxidation, nitrate reduction, and coliform inactivation.
Main Results:
- Ammonia and nitrate removal efficiencies of 96% and 36% were achieved in actual effluent.
- Complete coliform inactivation occurred at 0.072 Ah L(-1).
- Ammonia removal followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, while nitrate reduction followed first-order kinetics.
Conclusions:
- The eAND process demonstrates significant potential for tertiary treatment of WWTP effluent.
- Simultaneous removal of ammonia, nitrate, and disinfection is achievable.
- In situ generated active chlorine contributes to effective disinfection without additional chemicals.
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