

CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION LABORATORY

Texas Tech University
Department of Chemical Engineering
Electrochemical Innovation for Process Intensification
NUTRIENT
RECOVERY
Electrothermal Distillation of Ammonium

OVERVIEW
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Electrothermal distillation (Joule-Heating) volatilizes the N-NH - ion from the liquid, converting it into a gas phase
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Applying an electric field generates localized Joule heating at the surface, which enhances ammonia volatilization and drives it to the air side
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Ammonium Recovery Via Ion Exchange

OVERVIEW
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Adsorption: Selective N-NH - capture via ion exchange using natural zeolite After screening different natural zeolites, Na-Chabazite was the best performing material
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Desorption using a NaCl brine solution to generate a high concentration of N-NH in the liquid
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Ammonia Storage on Solid Carriers

OVERVIEW
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The volatilized ammonia gas can be stored on solid carriers adsorbents for more efficient transportation
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Porous materials including zeolite, carbon based, and metal halides supported on silica are being tested
Phosphorus Recovery as Calcium
Phosphate from Electrolyzed Sludge

OVERVIEW
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Optimization of parameters such as reaction time and calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca/P) molar ratio to maximize phosphorus recovery from the electrolyzed sludge supernatant
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Characterization of the recovered calcium phosphate solid (precipitate) to evaluate its potential as a slow-release phosphorus fertilizer