Mass transfer dynamics of ammonia in high rate biomethanation of poultry litter leachate

In the present study possibility of coupling biofilter to arrest ammonia (NH3) emission to the atmosphere from the integrated UASB and stripper (UASB + ST) system treating poultry litter leachate was studied. UASB + ST with biofilter (UASB + ST + BF) exhibited removal efficiency (RE) of NH3 in the range of 98–99% (below 28 ppm V (parts per million by volume)) with low cost agricultural residue as a bedding material. Mass transfer dynamics of TAN in the system revealed that TAN loss to atmosphere was below 1% in UASB + ST + BF where as it was in the range of 70–90% in UASB + ST. Cost estimates revealed that financial implications due to the addition of biofilter were below 10% of total capital cost. TAN retained in the bedding material of biofilter could also be utilized as soil conditioner upon saturation.

► Poultry litter leachate was highly biodegradable and amenable for biomethanation.
► Integrated system of UASB, stripper and biofilter was benign eco-friendly process.
► Odour problem due to NH3 from the stripper could be eliminated to the level of 99%.
► Mass transfer dynamics of total ammoniacal nitrogen in the system was carried out.
► Ammonia was retained in the system for possible reuse as soil conditioner.