Volatile ammonia losses from surface-applied sludge

• Published in: Journal - Water Pollution Control Federation Vol. 52; no. 9; pp. 2340 - 2350
• Main Authors: English, C.J. Jr, Miner, J.R, Koelliker, J.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Water Pollution Control Federation 01-09-1980
• Subjects: Alkalinity; Ammonia; Carbon dioxide; Carbonates; Coefficients; Liquids; Nitrogen; Sewage sludge; Sludge; Sludge digestion
• ISSN: 0043-1303; 2327-7467

Equilibrium constants describing the dissolution and dissociation of ammonia were measured in anaerobically digested wastewater sludge in a laboratory experiment and compared with theoretically determined constants. Theoretical constants reasonably approximated equilibrium conditions in the sludge. Corrections for activity effects of ionic strength were necessary, but adjustment for the effect of sludge organic content was unnecessary. Sludge pH was increased with time logarithmically; the increase was related to a decrease in dissolved carbon dioxide concentration. A model was developed to describe volatile loss of ammonia by convective mass transfer. The experimental results were used to formulate a procedure to predict volatile losses of ammonia from wastewater sludge applied to land.