Ammonia Scrubbing Tower Design for Odor Control at Anaerobic Digestion Biogas Production Facilities

Abstract

Ammonia emissions generated during anaerobic digestion and biogas production operations contribute significantly to odor nuisance, atmospheric pollution, and occupational health concerns in waste treatment facilities. Effective ammonia removal is therefore essential for improving environmental performance and operational sustainability of biogas production systems. The present study investigates the design and performance optimization of an ammonia scrubbing tower for odor control at anaerobic digestion biogas production facilities under varying operating conditions. The research focuses on evaluating mass transfer efficiency, ammonia removal performance, pressure drop characteristics, and chemical absorption behavior associated with packed scrubbing tower systems. Experimental and process analyses were conducted to examine the influence of gas flow rate, liquid-to-gas ratio, packing material characteristics, scrubbing solution concentration, pH, and contact time on ammonia absorption efficiency and operational stability. Results demonstrate that optimized scrubbing tower design significantly enhances ammonia removal through gas–liquid mass transfer and acid-neutralization mechanisms, resulting in substantial reduction of odor-causing emissions. The study further reveals that appropriate packing configuration and controlled operational parameters improve absorption efficiency while minimizing energy consumption and pressure losses within the system. Increased liquid circulation and optimized pH conditions contributed to stable long-term ammonia control performance and improved process reliability. Comparative assessment with conventional odor treatment methods confirms the advantages of chemical scrubbing systems, including high treatment efficiency, adaptability for continuous operation, and suitability for industrial-scale biogas facilities. In addition, effective ammonia emission control supports improved workplace conditions and environmental compliance.