Name

Low temperature ammonia electrolysis for ammonia removal and hydrogen production in wastewater treatment plants

Speakers

Dr Egle Latvyte

Authors

Egle Latvyte, Coventry University, UK
Xuanheng Zhu, Liang Wu, Rong Lan, John Graves, Institute for Clean Growth and Future Mobility, Coventry University, UK
Pete Vale, Severn Trent Water, UK

Description

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are essential for environmental protection but face high energy consumption, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and limited resource recovery. Aeration alone can cost £1 million annually, consuming 10 GWh of electricity and emitting 5 kilotonnes (kt) of CO2. Electrolysis, which splits ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, offers a potential route to ease energy demands and reduce emissions.

A single WWTP could recover up to 3,000 tonnes of ammonia per year from concentrated effluents, producing 0.4 kt of hydrogen for industrial or local energy applications. Integrating electrolysis could lower external energy reliance, reduce operational costs, and support circular economy principles.

Electrolysers tested in this work achieved high Faradaic efficiencies of 88% for ammonia oxidation and 99% for hydrogen production while operating at lower voltages than conventional water electrolysis. These results highlight the potential for ammonia electrolysis to improve WWTP sustainability, offering a scalable approach to reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.

 

Time

2:30 PM - 2:42 PM

Location Name

Room 2

Track

14:05 - 15:45 Technology Showcase