Solvent extraction of ammonium ions from seawater using sunflower oil

Abstract

Wastewaters from industrial processes including fertilizer production, petroleum refining, oil and gas exploration contain ammonia or ammonium chloride, which is considered as a pollutant in higher concentrations. The removal of these components is required to meet the statutory regulations. In this paper, results on the removal of ammonium chloride from aqueous solutions are reported. The experiments were conducted at two different levels- laboratory-scale (equilibrium data) and pilot-plant scale (hollow-fibre membrane module). Reactive solvent extraction with carrier dissolved in sunflower oil was studied. The carrier based on phosphoric acid dissolved in sunflower oil gave 43-70% removal of ammonium chloride from aqueous solutions. This was achieved in a single-stage contact at the natural pH (no addition of chemicals required to adjust the pH).