Ammonium in aqueous solutions has a detrimental effect on the water quality. Large concentrations of ammonium are found in domestic and industrial waste water. In raw domestic waste water, the concentration of ammonia ranges from 30-100mg NH3-N/L.
Another important component which is a cause of concern is phosphorus. This element is an important constituent for agriculture and industries. Large quantities of phosphorus are also present in domestic wastewater, which, if untreated, will end up in water bodies and cause eutrophication.
Ammonia can be removed from aqueous solutions using biological nitrification or by a selective ion exchange method of ammonia by a zeolite type mineral. For removing phosphorus, a biological dephosphorization method is known, which is not efficient, and requires skilled and meticulous operation control. These conventional methods available also do not provide for the simultaneous removal of phosphorus and nitrogen from the waste water. Also, these conventional methods do not provide for recovery of these valuable resources.
KRl 019900000905 discloses a process for ammonia removal by the use of zeolite, in which, ammonia loaded water is repeatedly passed through multiple zeolite chambers and ammonia is removed by supplying alkaline regeneration, after the saturation of the zeolite chambers.

JP2002320961 discloses a method for the simultaneous removal of ammonia and phosphate from wastewater by passing the contaminated water through a zeolite packed bed filled with phosphate removing particles. The bed is desorbed with alkali for phosphate removal and the remaining ammonia loaded zeolite is subjected to biological nitrification of ammonia.
The processes disclosed in the prior art above are complex and require several steps and further downstream processing. Furthermore, the processes include permanent stationary chambers with confined and inflexible operational conditions which restrict the recovery of ammonium and phosphate to defined waste streams.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a device for the removal and the recovery of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
Summary of the Invention:
A device for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions is disclosed. The device comprises: two hemisphere, with each hemisphere comprising a plurality of thread to enable it to be closed into a hollow polymeric ball, said hollow polymeric ball comprising a surface coating that is prepared by mixing zeolite with a clay like material in different composition ratios of 1:3, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:8, along with one or more polymeric binders; amphoteric hydroxide bead that are packed in an inner core of the hollow polymeric ball, said beads being prepared by mixing nano hydroxides of transition metals with kaolin and the one or more polymeric binders in different loading rates of 1-10% (w/v); and a plurality of perforations on the surface of the hollow polymeric ball to facilitate inward movement of an aqueous solution for adsorption of ammonium ions, said device facilitating the recovery of: ammonium on to an inner surface and an outer surface of the hollow polymeric ball, and phosphate on to the amphoteric hydroxide bead in the core of the hollow polymeric ball, and said device possessing increased adsorption quality because of an increase in surface area.

The disclosed device is easy to use and cost effective. Further, the device can be reused after desorption. The recovered ammonium and phosphate ions can be used as fertilizers for agricultural purposes.
The method of preparing the device is also disclosed.
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a device for the efficient and synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions, in accordance with the present disclosure
Figure 2 illustrates the disposition of a plurality of devices in cages of various sizes for the removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from fresh water bodies, in accordance with the present disclosure
Detailed Description of the Invention:
Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.
The present disclosure provides a device for the efficient and synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. The eluent obtained from the process having ammonium and phosphate ions is used as fertilizer.
The device (100) comprises a hollow polymeric ball coated with zeolite and packed with amphoteric hydroxide beads (3) in an inner core of the hollow polymeric ball. The hollow polymeric ball coated with zeolite comprises two hemispheres (1). Each hemisphere (1) comprises a plurality of threads (4) to enable it to be closed into a sphere. This facilitates the separation of the two hemispheres (1) and the recovery or filling of adsorbing beads (3) in the inner core of the hollow polymeric ball.
The device (100) facilitates the recovery of ammonium on to an inner surface and an outer surface of the hollow polymeric ball and the recovery of phosphate on to the amphoteric

hydroxide beads in the core of the hollow polymeric ball. The device (100) possesses increased adsorption quality because of an increase in surface area.
The hollow polymeric ball is made by coating a perforated hemisphere (1) made of a polymeric material with zeolite with the help of a binder. Alternatively, the hollow polymeric ball may also be made by preparing a polymeric skeletal mesh of polymeric material, which is then coated with zeolite on both an inner surface and an outer surface. The surface of the hollow polymeric ball comprises a plurality of perforations (2) to facilitate inward movement of an aqueous solution for adsorption of ammonium ions. The surface coating is prepared by mixing zeolite with a clay like material in different composition ratios of 1:3, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:8, along with one or more polymeric binders.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the polymeric material is polystyrene.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polymeric material is polyvinyl chloride.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polymeric material is polyurethane.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the polymeric material is polypropylene.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more binder is polyacrylic acid.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more binder is polyethylene glycol.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more binder is polyvinyl alcohol.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clay like material is kaolin like clay.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clay like material is
5 montmorillonite like clay.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clay like material is diagomite like clay.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the clay like material is bentonite like
10 clay.
The amphoteric hydroxide beads (3) placed in the polymeric hollow ball are prepared by
mixing nano hydroxides of transition metals with kaolin like clay and the one or more
polymeric binders in different loading rates of 1-10% (w/v). The hydroxides of transition
15 metals in these beads adsorb phosphate ions from the aqueous solution.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is titanium.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is manganese 20
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is iron.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is cobalt.
25 In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is zinc.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is zirconium.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition metal is molybdenum. 30
The disclosure shall now be illustrated with the help of the following example.
6

The scaffold of the hollow ball was prepared by hot plate welding method in each
hemisphere (1) with threads (4) for interlocking. The hollow ball was encapsulated by a
thick layer ranging from 0.25mm – 50mm with a mixture of zeolite, kaolin, and the one or
more binders. The adsorbent mixture was attached to the polymer base with epoxy resin
5 having addition proportion from 2% to 10%. The formed encapsulated structure was put to
hot plate welding and dried in the range of 100-200˚C for 2 hours. The internal diameter of the balls prepared ranged from 3cm – 20cm. The perforations (2) in the hollow ball were restricted to 0.25cm- 1cm in diameter.
10 The amphoteric beads (3) were prepared in two steps. Firstly, the nanoparticles of the
transition metals were prepared by precipitation method. The beads (3) were prepared by mixing the nanoparticles with kaolin clay with the loading ratio ranging from 1% 18% (w/w). The mixture was then formed in bead style and subjected to heating at 400˚C for 4 hours.
15
For complete recovery of ammonium and phosphate ions from waste water streams, the device (100) was prepared by loading the beads (3) on to the hollow perforated ball.
The device (100) can be placed in various configurations based on the type of waste water
20 to be treated, as explained below.
A plurality of devices (100) may be disposed in a urine recovery tank in urine diversion dry toilets, waterless urinals, and other storage tanks with high ammonium and phosphate content liquid waste. 25
A plurality of devices (100) may be placed in the secondary treatment tanks in the waste water treatment plants for ammonium and phosphate recovery from the domestic waste water plant.
7

A plurality of devices (100) may replace the gravel and rock contents in a baffle chamber of a DEW ATS (Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System) plant for ammonium and phosphate recovery.
A plurality of devices (100) may be disposed in cages of various sizes and can be placed in a floatable ridge in fresh water bodies with high ammonium and phosphate contents.
The saturated polymeric hollow balls are taken out of the aqueous solution stream and opened for unloading the hydroxide beads (3). The zeolite is then desorbed using suitable buffer (i.e., 0.1 - 0.5N of NaCl solution) for ammonium removal and for recharging of the polymeric hollow balls. The same mechanism of desorption using suitable buffer is employed for the recharging of hydroxide beads (3). The eluted liquor can serve as fertilizer for agriculture.
The disclosed device is easy to use and cost effective. Further, the device (100) can be reused after desorption.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.

We Claim:

A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions, comprising: two hemispheres (1), with each hemisphere (1) comprising a plurality of threads (4) to enable it to be closed into a hollow polymeric ball, said hollow polymeric ball comprising a surface coating that is prepared by mixing zeolite with a clay like material in different composition ratios of 1:3, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:8, along with one or more polymeric binders; amphoteric hydroxide beads (3) that are packed in an inner core of the hollow polymeric ball, said beads (3) being prepared by mixing nano hydroxides of transition metals with kaolin and the one or more polymeric binders in different loading rates of 1-10% (w/v); and a plurality of perforations (2) on the surface of the hollow polymeric ball to facilitate inward movement of an aqueous solution for adsorption of ammonium ions, said device (100) facilitating the recovery of: ammonium on to an inner surface and an outer surface of the hollow polymeric ball, and phosphate on to the amphoteric hydroxide beads (3) in the core of the hollow polymeric ball, and said device (100) possessing increased adsorption quality because of an increase in surface area.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow polymeric ball is made of polystyrene.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow polymeric ball is made of polyvinyl chloride.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow polymeric ball is made of polyurethane.

A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow polymeric ball is made of polypropylene.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more binder is polyacrylic acid.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more binder is polyethylene glycol.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more binder is polyvinyl alcohol.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein clay like material is kaolin like clay.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein clay like material is montmorillonite like clay.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein clay like material is diagomite like clay.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein clay like material is bentonite like clay.

A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is titanium.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is manganese.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is iron.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is cobalt.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is zinc.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is zirconium.
A device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal is molybdenum.
A method of preparing a device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:
preparing the scaffold of the hollow ball by hot plate welding method in each hemisphere (1) with threads (4) for interlocking;
encapsulating the hollow ball by a thick layer ranging from 0.25mm to 50mm with a mixture of zeolite, kaolin, and the one or more binders;

attaching the adsorbent mixture to the polymer base with epoxy resin having addition proportion from 2% to 10%;
subjecting the formed encapsulated structure to hot plate welding and drying in a temperature range of 100 °C to 200°C for 2 hours;
preparing the nanoparticles of the transition metals by precipitation method; and
preparing the amphoteric hydroxide beads (3) by mixing the nano hydroxides of transition metals with kaolin like clay and the one or more polymeric binders in different loading rates of 1-10% (w/v).
. A method of preparing a device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 20, wherein the internal diameter of the hollow polymeric ball ranges from 3 cm to 20cm.
'.. A method of preparing a device (100) for the synergistic removal of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions as claimed in claim 20, wherein the perforations (2) in the hollow ball range from 0.25cm to 1cm in diameter.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 - Device for the Synergistic Removal of Ammonium and Phosphate Ions from Aqueous Solutions
1 - Hemisphere
2 - Plurality of Perforations
3 - Amphoteric Hydroxide Beads
4 - Plurality of Threads