Leading the way in wastewater ammonia removal
Patented techniques are efficient and cost effective
Grontmij has started introduction of its patented Stable High rate Ammonia Removal Over Nitrite process (SHARON) to the UK. SHARON provides water companies with a highly efficient and cost effective means of removing high strength ammonia from wastewaters arising from sludge treatment processes, which can cause environmental damage to rivers and waterways.
SHARON was developed in the Netherlands during the 1990’s by Grontmij and Delft University in an effort to reduce pollution to Dutch watercourses. The success of the initial research led to six SHARON plants being constructed, some of which have been operating for ten years. This gives SHARON a significant advantage over other methods of extracting ammonia from high strength liquors, most of which are still at research stage and do not have proven reliability.
In a further boost to credibility, Environmental Engineers Metcalf & Eddy, carried out a worldwide search of 30 different ammonia removal processes before selecting SHARON for a treatment plant currently under construction in New York. Grontmij has also agreed a contract for use of the process with the City of Geneva.
Having already established an international foothold, a contract has been signed with Black & Veatch to incorporate the SHARON process into one of Anglian Water’s sludge treatment facilities. The Stream 3 joint venture (between Costain and Véolia) has also agreed a contract to use SHARON at a United Utilities sludge incineration plant serving Liverpool and Manchester.
Grontmij operations director, Andy Sang comments, “This innovative process can be incorporated into existing treatment facilities and provides water companies with a proven means of minimising their environmental impact. We are anticipating strong uptake of SHARON both in the UK and worldwide.”