Date of Defense
1-5-2025 10:00 AM
Location
F1-1043
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Water Resources
College
COE
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Prof. Munjed Maraqa
Keywords
Ammonia removal, chemical activation, circular economy, date palm leaf ash (DPLA), desalination reject brine, environmental sustainability, sustainable adsorbent.
Abstract
This study addresses the critical challenge of managing ammonia-laden reject brine from desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where desalination is the primary freshwater source. The environmental impact of brine disposal, particularly ammonia contamination, necessitates the development of sustainable treatment solutions. This research explores the potential of date palm leaf ash (DPLA), an agricultural byproduct, as a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for ammonia removal, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability and circular economy goals. The study evaluates the ammonia adsorption capacity of DPLA and optimizes its performance through thermal ashing at 750°C and chemical activation using calcium oxide (CaO), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Adsorption efficiency was tested under varying ash dosages and ammonia concentrations, while advanced characterization techniques—including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)—were employed to assess the structural and chemical modifications of DPLA before and after activation and ammonia exposure. The results demonstrated that H₃PO₄-activated DPLA achieved the highest ammonia removal efficiency of 67.87%, with optimal adsorption observed at an ash weight of 5 g and an initial ammonia concentration of 3.61 mg/L. Characterization analysis confirmed that the adsorption process was driven by physical and chemical interactions, with phosphate and oxygen-rich functional groups enhancing ammonia capture. The study also highlights the potential of ammonia-saturated DPLA as a slow-release fertilizer and its catalytic properties for industrial applications such as hydrogen production and syngas reforming. This study contributes to sustainable brine management by developing a low-cost, eco-friendly adsorbent from agricultural waste. The findings provide a potentially viable approach for ammonia removal from desalination reject brine, reducing the environmental impact of brine disposal. Additionally, the valorization of ammonia-saturated DPLA for agricultural and industrial applications supports the principles of a circular economy, offering a pathway for resource recovery and waste minimization. Future research should focus on pilot-scale implementation, regeneration studies, and cost-benefit analysis to assess the economic feasibility and scalability of DPLA-based adsorption for desalination brine treatment.
Included in
UTILIZING UAE DATE PALM LEAF ASH IN REMOVING AMMONIATED COMPOUNDS FROM REJECT BRINE AFTER THE SOLVAY PROCESS
F1-1043
This study addresses the critical challenge of managing ammonia-laden reject brine from desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where desalination is the primary freshwater source. The environmental impact of brine disposal, particularly ammonia contamination, necessitates the development of sustainable treatment solutions. This research explores the potential of date palm leaf ash (DPLA), an agricultural byproduct, as a low-cost and eco-friendly adsorbent for ammonia removal, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability and circular economy goals. The study evaluates the ammonia adsorption capacity of DPLA and optimizes its performance through thermal ashing at 750°C and chemical activation using calcium oxide (CaO), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). Adsorption efficiency was tested under varying ash dosages and ammonia concentrations, while advanced characterization techniques—including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)—were employed to assess the structural and chemical modifications of DPLA before and after activation and ammonia exposure. The results demonstrated that H₃PO₄-activated DPLA achieved the highest ammonia removal efficiency of 67.87%, with optimal adsorption observed at an ash weight of 5 g and an initial ammonia concentration of 3.61 mg/L. Characterization analysis confirmed that the adsorption process was driven by physical and chemical interactions, with phosphate and oxygen-rich functional groups enhancing ammonia capture. The study also highlights the potential of ammonia-saturated DPLA as a slow-release fertilizer and its catalytic properties for industrial applications such as hydrogen production and syngas reforming. This study contributes to sustainable brine management by developing a low-cost, eco-friendly adsorbent from agricultural waste. The findings provide a potentially viable approach for ammonia removal from desalination reject brine, reducing the environmental impact of brine disposal. Additionally, the valorization of ammonia-saturated DPLA for agricultural and industrial applications supports the principles of a circular economy, offering a pathway for resource recovery and waste minimization. Future research should focus on pilot-scale implementation, regeneration studies, and cost-benefit analysis to assess the economic feasibility and scalability of DPLA-based adsorption for desalination brine treatment.