Ammonia recovery from water, wastewater, and radioactive wastewater

The membrane-based separation process for the ammonia recovery from the water, wastewater, and radioactive wastewater retains great potential importance to reduce the environmental impacts. The traditional Haber–Bosch process for the production of ammonia is responsible for the 1.6% global CO2 emission and annual global energy consumption of 1.5%–2.5%. Ammonia is corrosive and causes severe irritation to the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin when its concentration is above 100 ppm. Furthermore, the intense overexposure also leads to irreversible pulmonary damage. As the wastewater occurs in large quantities and comprises a high-level concentration of ammonia, it has been explored as a source of ammonia recovery. The ammonia recovery from the wastewater reduces the environmental footprint and increases the production of fertilizer. In this chapter, the developing membrane-based separation process such as nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, membrane contactor, and electrodialysis for ammonia recovery has been reviewed. The benefits and challenges associated with these membrane-based separation processes for ammonia recovery are also discussed.