The use of electrodialysis in the recovery of ammonium nitrate from the aqueous waste stream arising from fertilizer manufacturing

Abstract

This dissertation assesses the use of Electrodialysis in the recovery of ammonium nitrate from the aqueous waste stream arising from fertilizer manufacturing. The dissertation is centred on the results of a trial plant that was operated at the Irish Fertilizer Industries Arklow plant. To give a background to the project, a brief introduction to IFI Arklow is included, describing the activities carried out on site. Following this, an account of the scope of the effluent problem at the Arklow plant, including the source of the contaminated effluent is presented. Different technologies that have been examined and trialled are discussed. Any modifications and repairs that have been made or will in the future need to be made to the Electrodialysis plant are discussed, as well as general operation of the trial plant. The main body of the text includes a presentation and interpretation of the data. The conclusion and discussion assesses the suitability of Electrodialysis in the given application and also describes future studies and potential modifications to the plant. It should be noted that points raised and conclusions drawn are for the purposes of the dissertation, as an academic exercise. As such, these conclusions are personal, and are made based on the information uncovered during research. They are not to be taken as representing the views of IFI Arklow.