Abstract
This project uses bench scale testing of synthesized groundwater to estimate the energy and chemical costs of an ammonia stripping process for pre-treatment of industrial groundwater from wells identified to have ammonia concentrations exceeding an industrial site’s permitted maximum treated-groundwater sewer discharge concentration of 200 mg/L. It compares these costs to that of another treatment alternative that was previously bench and pilot tested by the site administrator, namely breakpoint chlorination. All identifying information about the site in question has been redacted to preserve confidentiality. Results indicate that the combined energy and chemical costs of ammonia stripping at both 20°C and 70°C at the tested base dosage are more expensive than those of breakpoint chlorination. Stripping is also more complex, has higher startup costs, and occupies more space in the treatment compound. There is the potential to idle the ammonia treatment system when relative well production rates allow, decreasing the impact of chemical and energy costs compared to startup and labor costs. If sodium carbonate can be used as a buffer for breakpoint chlorination in place of sodium bicarbonate as tested by the site administrator, then this would be the cheapest alternative evaluated in this project.