Ammonium removal on zeolite modified by ultrasound

This study investigated whether the use of ultrasound-modified zeolite would increase ammonium removal from water. Natural zeolite was used that contained about 70% clinoptilolite and originated from the Sokernitske deposits in Ukraine. The zeolite was modified with 35kHz ultrasound with a power density of about 5W/cm(2) for 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90min. Lab-scale batch experiments showed that, when zeolite was treated by ultrasound, ammonium removal efficiency was up to 14% higher and the rate of ammonium removal was ca. 30% higher than with natural zeolite.