Removing ammonia (nitrogen) from water is a very difficult challenge. But it is very important-nitrogen in water is like "rocket fuel" for aquatic plants. Too much nitrogen in water bodies leads to uncontrolled blooms of algae and other plant life which is the first step in a cascade of consequences that can result in the collapse of marine ecosystems as evidenced by mass fish kills and red tides.

There are reported to be 148 ocean "dead zones", covering hundreds of square miles. There are many other inland bodies of water and rivers that are afflicted or threatened. Regulatory authorities worldwide recognize the seriousness of the problem, which is why ammonia/nitrogen discharge standards have been implemented.

Thermoenergy's Ammonia Recovery Process (ARP) is a robust and cost effective method for removing ammonia from dilute waste water streams in municipal, agricultural or industrial applications.

Conventional ammonia removal processes are biologically based and require large tanks, long retention times, tightly controlled operating conditions and long recovery times to regenerate the specialized bacteria in the event of system upset. The cost of operating many biologically based systems has increased significantly since they require large quantities of chemicals, including methanol which is tied to the price of natural gas.

ARP, by contrast, is a chemisorption process (the type of process employed by a home water softener) that continually removes ammonia from the waste stream, requiring much smaller tanks, more flexible operating conditions and much shorter system recovery times in the event of upset. The process uses smaller quantities of less expensive chemicals and produces a commercial grade fertilizer as a byproduct.

For comparable applications, an ARP system requires approximately one third of the capital investment and can be operated for 30% less than biological system alternatives. The challenge for many wastewater treatment facilities is that they simply do not have the space to site or expand conventional biological systems. For these wastewater plant operators, ARP is the only viable alternative.

New York City's Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded ThermoEnergy a contract to design, build and operate a 500,000 gallon per day ARP system at the Bowery Bay Water Pollution Control Plant. Once operational, this facility will significantly reduce nitrogen discharge into Long Island Sound.

Two other technologies which the company is developing to improve the operation of wastewater treatment facilities are: ThermoFuel Process, Enhanced Biogas Process.

Download and view the June 1, 2006 New York Academy of Science ARP PowerPoint Presentation