QILEE Unveils Compact Ammonia Stripping System for Wastewater Treatment

QILEE, a global provider of advanced industrial and municipal water treatment solutions, has unveiled a new Integrated Containerized PTFE Membrane Ammonia Stripping Unit designed to address severe high-concentration ammonia-nitrogen wastewater in heavy process industries. This compact, skid-mounted system offers a continuous 14 cubic meters per day (CMD) treatment capacity, making it suitable for industrial-scale duty with continuous 24/7 operating capabilities. The system is engineered to handle influent streams up to 35,000 mg/L and achieve an effluent ammonia-nitrogen concentration of 40 mg/L or lower in a single stage, with multi-stage configurations available for ultra-low discharge requirements.

At the core of the unit is a transmembrane chemical absorption mechanism utilizing proprietary hydrophobic, porous PTFE hollow-fiber membranes. These membranes ensure extended life in corrosive operating environments, outperforming conventional polymers such as polypropylene (PP) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in terms of resistance to harsh acids, strong alkalis, and aggressive organic compounds. The operational sequence involves pretreatment and conditioning, where incoming raw wastewater is filtered to remove suspended solids. A 40% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) dosing system raises the stream's pH above 11.5, shifting dissolved ammonium ions ($NH_4^+$) into gaseous ammonia ($NH_3$). A plate heat exchanger adjusts the influent temperature to an optimal 35-45 degrees Celsius.

The conditioned wastewater then routes through the tube side of the PTFE membrane contactor, where the hydrophobic nature of the pores creates an undisturbed gas-liquid interface, allowing gaseous ammonia to diffuse rapidly across the membrane wall. Concurrently, chilled deionized (DI) water circulates through the shell side, absorbing the diffusing ammonia vapor to form ammonium hydroxide (aqueous ammonia). The de-ammoniated effluent is safely discharged or transferred downstream for subsequent polishing, while the aqueous ammonia solution is continuously circulated until it achieves a target concentration of 20%, after which it is routed to dedicated storage for commercial reuse or on-site recovery.

The system's compact footprint, requiring approximately 60 meters, significantly cuts land use compared to conventional stripping towers. It is designed for an AC 380V/220V three-phase, five-wire electrical feed, with a total installed power capacity of 23.94 kW, while drawing just 9.09 kW under standard operating conditions. An automated flush and clean-in-place sequence consumes approximately 1,000 liters of tap water per cleaning cycle.

QILEE's membrane stripping architecture is engineered to serve high-ammonia wastewater challenges across major process industries, including mining and metallurgy, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, pesticides, dyes, and intermediates, and petrochemical, paper, and fermentation sectors. The company has demonstrated field deployments in vanadium and titanium extraction, complex organic synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and high-concentration textile printing, dyeing, and agrochemical intermediate effluents. With over 20 years of experience, 5,000+ successful projects, and 34 patents, QILEE has established itself as a trusted innovator in modular water treatment, delivering reliable, scalable, and sustainable clean water systems across more than 50 countries.