Abstract
Excess chemical and natural fertilizer could create eutrophication of surface waters and then depletion of the quality of water. The present study aimed to survey the removal efficiency of ammonia from aqueous solution using modified clinoptilolite and air stripping process and optimization of variables by response surface methodology. Clinoptilolite was obtained from Semnan (Northeast of Iran) and modified with sodium chloride (to create an adsorbent uniform) and ferric chloride (due to three valent of iron) as an efficient and simple method. The modified clinoptilolite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, X-ray fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Employing modified clinoptilolite as an adsorbent for ammonia removal showed that by increasing adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH and decreasing initial ammonia concentration, ammonia removal efficiency has been increased. In the optimum condition, modified clinoptilolite was able to adsorb ammonia as high as 86.04% at an adsorbent dose of 1 g/L, pH of 5, a contact time of 3.7 h, and an initial ammonia concentration of 13.27 mg/L. Also, the sorption capacity of ammonia at the optimum condition of air stripping was 96.14%. This process can properly treat the effluent of stabilization ponds as real wastewater (about 70% for ammonium removal), and the order of reduction effect for cations includes K+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+, respectively. The findings showed that ammonia removal followed the Freundlich isotherm and intraparticle diffusion kinetic model. According to the obtained results, as an effective and reusable adsorbent, modified clinoptilolite can be appropriately employed for ammonia removal from wastewater.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adam MR, Othman MHD, Puteh MH, Ismail A, Mustafa A, Rahman MA, Jaafar J (2020) Impact of sintering temperature and pH of feed solution on adsorptive removal of ammonia from wastewater using clinoptilolite based hollow fibre ceramic membrane. J Water Process Eng 33:101063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.101063
Aghel B, Mohadesi M, Gouran A, Razmegir MH (2020) Use of modified Iranian clinoptilolite zeolite for cadmium and lead removal from oil refinery wastewater. Int J Environ Sci Technol 17:1239–1250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-019-02466-5
Ahari SM, Yangejeh RJ, Mahvi AH, Shahamat YD, Takdastan A (2019) A new method for the removal of ammonium from drinking water using hybrid method of modified zeolites/catalytic ozonation. Desalin Water Treat 170:148–157. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.24619
Alpat SK, Ozbayrak O, Alpat S, Akcay H (2008) The adsorption kinetics and removal of cationic dye, Toluidine Blue O, from aqueous solution with Turkish zeolite. J Hazard Mater 151:213–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.05.071
Al-Sheikh F, Moralejo C, Pritzker M, Anderson WA, Elkamel A (2021) Batch adsorption study of ammonia removal from synthetic/real wastewater using ion exchange resins and zeolites. Sep Sci Technol 56(3):462–473. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2020.1718706
Ashrafizadeh S, Khorasani Z, Gorjiara M (2008) Ammonia removal from aqueous solutions by Iranian natural zeolite. Sep Sci Technol 43(4):960–978. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496390701870614
Atallah B, Djamel N, El Hadj M, Samira A (2019) A comparative study of the linear and non-linear methods for determination of the optimum equilibrium isotherm for adsorption of Pb2+ ions onto Algerian treated clay. Iran J Chem Chem Eng 39(4):153–171. https://doi.org/10.30492/IJCCE.2019.35116
Azogh A, Marashi SK, Babaeinejad T (2019) Effect of zeolite on absorption and distribution of heavy metal concentrations in roots and shoots of wheat under soil contaminated with weapons. Toxin Rev 5:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/15569543.2019.1684949
Bonmatı́ ́A, Flotats X (2003) Air stripping of ammonia from pig slurry: characterisation and feasibility as a pre-or post-treatment to mesophilic anaerobic digestion. Waste Manag 23(3):261–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-053X(02)00144-7
Cabrera C, Gabaldón C, Marzal P (2005) Sorption characteristics of heavy metal ions by a natural zeolite. Chem Technol Biotechnol 80(4):477–481. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.1189
Dashti A, Amirkhani F, Jokar M, Mohammadi AH, Chau KW (2020) Insights into the estimation of heavy metals ions sorption from aqueous environment onto natural zeolite. J Environ Sci Technol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02912-9
De la Torre-Velasco A, Beristain-Cardoso R, Damian-Matsumura P, Gómez J (2013) Sequential nitrification–denitrification process for nitrogenous, sulfurous and phenolic compounds removal in the same bioreactor. Bioresour Technol 139:220–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.03.190
Dong Y-b, Lin HJ (2016) Ammonia nitrogen removal from aqueous solution using zeolite modified by microwave-sodium acetate. J Cent South Univ 23:1345–1352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-016-3186-x
Du Q, Liu S, Cao Z, Wang Y (2005) Ammonia removal from aqueous solution using natural Chinese clinoptilolite. Sep Purif Technol 44:229–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2004.04.011
Elgarahy A, Elwakeel K, Elshoubaky G, Mohammad S (2019) Untapped sepia shell–based composite for the sorption of cationic and anionic dyes. Water Air Soil Pollut 230:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4247-1
Elwakeel KZ (2020) Magnesium sorption onto titan yellow supported on classic thiourea-formaldehyde resin. Aswan Univ J Environ Stud 1(2):125–136. https://doi.org/10.21608/aujes.2020.127561
Elwakeel KZ, Abd El-Ghaffar M, El-kousy SM, El-Shorbagy HG (2012) Synthesis of new ammonium chitosan derivatives and their application for dye removal from aqueous media. Chem Eng J 203:458–468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.07.001
Elwakeel KZ, El-Bindary A, El-Sonbati A, Hawas AR (2017) Magnetic alginate beads with high basic dye removal potential and excellent regeneration ability. Can J Chem 95(8):807–815. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjc-2016-0641
Elwakeel K, Elgarahy A, Elshoubaky G, Mohammad SJ (2020a) Microwave assist sorption of crystal violet and Congo red dyes onto amphoteric sorbent based on upcycled Sepia shells. J Environ Health Sci Eng 18:35–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-019-00435-1
Elwakeel KZ, Shahat A, Khan ZA, Alshitari W, Guibal EJ (2020b) Magnetic metal oxide-organic framework material for ultrasonic-assisted sorption of titan yellow and rose bengal from aqueous solutions. Chem Eng J 392:123635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.123635
Elwakeel KZ, Al-Bogami AS, Guibal E (2021) 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole derivative of chitosan for silver sorption–Contribution of magnetite incorporation and sonication effects on enhanced metal recovery. Chem Eng J 403:126265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126265
Englert AH, Rubio J (2005) Characterization and environmental application of a Chilean natural zeolite. Int J Miner Process 75:21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.minpro.2004.01.003
Faghihian H, Mousazadeh MH (2007) Removal of PAHs from n-paraffin by modified clinoptilolite. Iran J Chem Chem Eng 26(3):121–127. https://doi.org/10.30492/IJCCE.2007.7638
Farkas A, Rozic M, Barbaric-Mikocevic Z (2005) Ammonium exchange in leakage waters of waste dumps using natural zeolite from the Krapina region. J Hazard Mater 117(1):25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2004.05.035
Favvas EP, Tsanaktsidis CG, Sapalidis AA, Tzilantonis GT, Papageorgiou SK, Mitropoulos AC (2016) Clinoptilolite, a natural zeolite material: structural characterization and performance evaluation on its dehydration properties of hydrocarbon-based fuels. Micropor Mesopor Mat 225:385–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.01.021
Ghadiri S, Nabizadeh R, Mahvi A, Nasseri S, Mesdaghinia A, Talebi S (2012) Potential of granulated modified nanozeolites Y for MTBE removal from aqueous solutions: kinetic and isotherm studies. Pol J Chem Technol 14(2):1–8. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10026-012-0063-8
Ghadiri SK, Alidadi H, Tavakkolinezhad N, Javid A, Roudbari A, Talebi SS, Mohammadi AA, Shams M, Rezania S (2020) Valorization of biomass into amine-functionalized bio graphene for efficient ciprofloxacin adsorption in water-modeling and optimization study. PLoS ONE 15(4):e0231045. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231045
Gholami Z, Ghadiri SK, Avazpour M, Fard MA, Yousefi N, Talebi SS, Khazaei M, Saghi MH, Mahvi AH (2018) Removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions using modified activated carbon prepared from agricultural waste (Populous caspica): optimization, kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies. Desalin Water Treat 133:177–190. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.23000
Guo J, Yang C, Zeng GJ (2013) Treatment of swine wastewater using chemically modified zeolite and bioflocculant from activated sludge. Biores Technol 143:289–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.06.003
Guo H, Zhang X, Liu J (2016) Ion-exchange capability for ammonium removal using zeolite modified by potassium permanganate. Chem Eng Trans 55:163–168. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1655028
Haggerty GM, Bowman RS (1994) Sorption of chromate and other inorganic anions by organo-zeolite. Environ Sci Technol 28(3):452–458. https://doi.org/10.1021/es00052a017
Hilal NM, Ahmed I, Badr EJ (2012) Removal of acid dye (AR37) by adsorption onto potatoes and egg husk: a comparative study. Am J Sci 8:341–348
Jahangiri K, Yousefi N, Ghadiri SK, Fekri R, Bagheri A, Talebi SS (2019) Enhancement adsorption of hexavalent chromium onto modified fly ash from aqueous solution; optimization; isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic study. J Dispers Sci Technol 40:1147–1158. https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2018.1496841
Ji Z-Y, Yuan J-S, Li X-GJ (2007) Removal of ammonium from wastewater using calcium form clinoptilolite. J Hazard Mater 141:483–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.07.010
Karadag D, Koc Y, Turan M, Armagan BJ (2006) Removal of ammonium ion from aqueous solution using natural. Turk Clinoptilolite J Hazard Mater 136:604–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.12.042
Karadag D, Koc Y, Turan M, Ozturk MJ (2007) A comparative study of linear and non-linear regression analysis for ammonium exchange by clinoptilolite zeolite. J Hazard Mater 144:432–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.10.055
Khalil A, Sergeevich N, Borisova VJ (2018) Removal of ammonium from fish farms by biochar obtained from rice straw: isotherm and kinetic studies for ammonium adsorption. Adsorpt Sci Technol 36:1294–1309. https://doi.org/10.1177/0263617418768944
Khazaei M, Nasseri S, Ganjali MR, Khoobi M, Nabizadeh R, Mahvi AH, Nazmara S, Gholibegloo E (2016) Response surface modeling of lead (׀׀) removal by graphene oxide-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite using central composite design. JEHSE 14(1):1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40201-016-0243-1
Korkuna O, Leboda R, Skubiszewska-Zie BJ, Vrublevs’Ka T, Gun’Ko V, Ryczkowski J (2006) Structural and physicochemical properties of natural zeolites: clinoptilolite and mordenite. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 87:243–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2005.08.002
Li C, Dong Y, Wu D, Peng L, Kong HJ (2011) Surfactant modified zeolite as adsorbent for removal of humic acid from water. Appl Clay Sci 52:353–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2011.03.015
Liu C, Li Y, Luan Z, Chen Z, Zhang Z, Jia Z (2007) Adsorption removal of phosphate from aqueous solution by active red mud. J Environ Sci 19:1166–1170. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(07)60190-9
Malekian R, Abedi-Koupai J, Eslamian SS, Mousavi SF, Abbaspour KC, Afyuni MJ (2011) Ion-exchange process for ammonium removal and release using natural. Iran Zeolite Appl Clay Sci 51:323–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2010.12.020
Malovanyy A, Sakalova H, Yatchyshyn Y, Plaza E, Malovanyy M (2013) Concentration of ammonium from municipal wastewater using ion exchange process. Desalination 329:93–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2013.09.009
Mazeikiene A, Valentukeviciene M (2016) Removal of ammonium ions from digested sludge fugate by using natural zeolite. J Environ Eng Landsc Manag 24(3):176–176. https://doi.org/10.3846/16486897.2016.1172075
Mirahsani A, Sartaj M, Giorgi J (2019) Assessment and optimization of total ammonia nitrogen adsorption in aqueous phase by sodium functionalized graphene oxide using response surface methodology. Environ Prog Sustain Energy 39(4):e13344. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.13344
Mirzaei H, Almasian M, Mousavian S, Kalal H (2019) Plasma modification of a natural zeolite to improve its adsorption capacity of strontium ions from water samples. Int J Environ Sci Technol 16:6157–6166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-2024-0
Montalvo SJ, Guerrero LE, Borja R (2014) Improvement in nitrification through the use of natural zeolite: influence of the biomass concentration and inoculum source. Int J Environ Sci Technol 11:43–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-013-0364-3
Montégut G, Michelin L, Brendlé J, Lebeau B, Patarin J (2016) Ammonium and potassium removal from swine liquid manure using clinoptilolite, chabazite and faujasite zeolites. J Environ Manag 167:147–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.027
Özogul F, Hamed I, Gokdogan S (2016) The impact of natural clinoptilolite on ammonia, cadaverine and other polyamine formation by food-borne pathogen in lysine decarboxylase broth. LWT-Food Sci Technol 65:703–710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2015.08.072
Passaglia E, Vezzalini G, Carnevali R (1990) Diagenetic chabazites and phillipsites in Italy: crystal chemistry and genesis. Eur J Mineral 2(6):827–840. https://doi.org/10.1127/ejm/2/6/0827
Pilchowski K, Chmielewská E (2003) Adsorptive separation of 1, 2-dichloroethane from model wastewater by natural clinoptilolite. Acta Hydrochim Hydrobiol 31:249–252. https://doi.org/10.1002/aheh.200300489
Qin Y, Zhu X, Su Q, Anumah A, Gao B, Lyu W, Zhou X, Xing Y, Wang B (2020) Enhanced removal of ammonium from water by ball-milled biochar. Environ Geochem Health 42(6):1579–1587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00474-5
Quan X, Wang F, Zhao Q, Zhao T, Xiang J (2009) Air stripping of ammonia in a water-sparged aerocyclone reactor. J Hazard Mater 170:983–988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.05.083
Shaban M, AbuKhadra MR, Nasief FM, Abd El-Salam HM (2017) Removal of ammonia from aqueous solutions, ground water, and wastewater using mechanically activated clinoptilolite and synthetic zeolite-a: kinetic and equilibrium studies. Water Air Soil Pollut 228(11):450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3643-7
Sharma A, Katoch SS (2019) Study of ammoniacal nitrogen removal from leachate of sanitary landfills in Hilly terrain. Int Res J Eng Technol 6(9):299–303
Sprynskyy M, Lebedynets M, Terzyk AP, Kowalczyk P, Namiesnik J, Buszewski B (2005) Ammonium sorption from aqueous solutions by the natural zeolite Transcarpathian clinoptilolite studied under dynamic conditions. J Colloid Interface Sci 284:408–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2004.10.058
Sukor A, Azira A, Husni M (2017) Determination of cation exchange capacity of natural zeolite: a revisit. J Soil Sci 21:105–112
Susanne MC, Colin AB (2018) Urban Pollution, Science and Management In: Williams CD (ed) Application of zeolites to environmental remediation, 1rd edn. John Wiley & Sons, UK, pp 249-258
Wang S, Peng Y (2010) Natural zeolites as effective adsorbents in water and wastewater treatment. Chem Eng J 156:11–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.10.029
Wang SB, Zhu ZH (2006) Characterisation and environmental application of an Australian natural zeolite for basic dye removal from aqueous solution. J Hazard Mater 136:946–952. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.01.038
Wang Y, Liu S, Xu Z, Han T, Chuan S, Zhu T (2006) Ammonia removal from leachate solution using natural Chinese clinoptilolite. J Hazard Mater 136:735–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.01.002
Widiastuti N, Wu H, Ang HM, Zhang D (2011) Removal of ammonium from greywater using natural zeolite. Desalination 277:15–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.03.030
Yin Q, Wang R, Zhao Z (2018a) Application of Mg–Al-modified biochar for simultaneous removal of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate from eutrophic water. J Clean Prod 176:230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.117
Yin S, Chen K, Srinivasakannan C, Guo S, Li S, Peng J, Zhang L (2018b) Enhancing recovery of ammonia from rare earth wastewater by air stripping combination of microwave heating and high gravity technology. Chem Eng J 337:515–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.12.147
Yuan M-H, Chen Y-H, Tsai J-Y, Chang C-Y (2016) Ammonia removal from ammonia-rich wastewater by air stripping using a rotating packed bed. Process Saf Environ 102:777–785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2016.06.021
Zhang Y (2018) Comparison of Functional Porous Organic Polymers (POPs) and Natural Material Zeolite for Nitrogen Removal and Recovery from Synthetic Urine. Dissertation, University of South Florida.
Zhang H, Li A, Zhang W, Shuang C (2016) Combination of Na-modified zeolite and anion exchange resin for advanced treatment of a high ammonia–nitrogen content municipal effluent. J Colloid Interface Sci 468:128–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2015.10.006
Zhao YP, Gao TY, Jiang SY, Cao DW (2004) Ammonium removal by modified zeolite from municipal wastewater. J Environ Sci 16:1001–1004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.07.010
Zieliński M, Zielińska M, Dębowski M (2016) Ammonium removal on zeolite modified by ultrasound. Desalin Water Treat 57:8748–8753. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1024750
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their special thanks to the Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah branch, for their kind cooperation in this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
RF and PM have taken part in design and conduct of the study and manuscript preparation. SAH, FY, and FK got involved in the intellectual helping in different stages of the study. RF have done technical analysis and manuscript preparation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests/competing interests.
Ethical statement
The authors declare that they have no compliance with ethical standards.
Additional information
Editorial responsibilty: J Aravind.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fathi, R., Mohammadi, P., Hosseini, S.A. et al. Modeling of ammonia removal from wastewater using air stripping/modified clinoptilolite: reusability, optimization, isotherm, kinetic, and equilibrium studies. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 2493–2514 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03353-8
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03353-8