Ammonia Stripper Apparatus and Method

An ammonia stripper for stripping ammonia from ammonia-containing water, the ammonia stripper comprising an ammonia-containing water inlet, a steam inlet, and a forced air inlet;

• and
• an ammonia-containing gas outlet and a wastewater outlet;
• wherein, in use, the steam and air contact the ammonia-containing water in counter-flow to thereby release ammonia from the ammonia-containing water;
• and wherein the ammonia stripper further comprises an apparatus selected from the group consisting of:
• a steam and air mixing duct having a spiral shape and/or internal baffles to create turbulence in the steam and air flow by diverting the steam-air mixture through an extended turning flow path to promote mixing of the steam and air flow prior to contacting the ammonia-containing water, the mixing duct being positioned between the steam and air inlets and the location within the ammonia stripper where the steam and air contact the ammonia-containing water,
• a precipitation unit upstream of the ammonia-containing water inlet, for precipitating solids from the ammonia-containing water prior to the inlet, and
• a steam flash vessel downstream of the wastewater outlet, for generating steam from the wastewater produced by the ammonia stripper for recycling into the ammonia stripper.

A method for removing ammonia from ammonia-containing water which comprises the steps of:

• providing an ammonia stripper comprising an ammonia-containing water inlet, a steam inlet, and a forced air inlet;
• and an ammonia-containing gas outlet and a wastewater outlet;
• and
• contacting steam and air with the ammonia-containing water in counter-flow within the ammonia stripper to thereby release ammonia from the ammonia-containing water;
• wherein the method comprises a further step selected from:
• at least partially pre-humidifying the forced air in a pre-humidifier prior to mixing with the steam;
• and
• drawing ammonia-containing gas from the ammonia-containing gas outlet and returning it into the ammonia stripper to mix with the forced air entering the ammonia stripper.