Vacuum Membrane Distillation for Ammonia Stripping and Recovery from Landfill Leachate Concentrate

Abstract

The treatment of landfill leachate concentrate remains a significant environmental challenge due to the presence of high ammonia concentrations, dissolved organic compounds, and refractory contaminants that adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment systems. The present study investigates the application of vacuum membrane distillation for efficient ammonia stripping and recovery from landfill leachate concentrate under controlled operating conditions. The research evaluates the influence of feed temperature, vacuum pressure, membrane characteristics, pH variation, and flow dynamics on ammonia transfer efficiency and permeate quality. Experimental observations indicate that vacuum membrane distillation enhances ammonia volatilization and selective separation through hydrophobic membrane surfaces, resulting in high ammonia recovery rates and substantial reduction in contaminant load. The integration of vacuum-driven mass transfer with thermal separation mechanisms improves process stability while minimizing membrane fouling and energy consumption compared with conventional stripping technologies. The study further examines the effect of alkaline pretreatment and operational optimization on ammonia removal performance and membrane longevity. Results demonstrate that elevated feed temperatures and optimized vacuum conditions significantly increase ammonia flux and recovery efficiency, supporting the feasibility of continuous large-scale operation. In addition, recovered ammonia presents potential for reuse in fertilizer production and industrial applications, contributing to resource recovery and circular economy practices. Comparative analysis confirms that vacuum membrane distillation offers superior environmental and operational advantages over traditional physicochemical treatment methods.