Composite for phosphate and ammonium ion removal
The invention employs composites of zeolite and ferric oxide hydroxide for removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus wastes from animal environments.
1. A granular, bifunctional amalgam that removes both ammonia and phosphate from an aqueous environment which amalgam comprises the sodium form of zeolite ZK406H® coupled to ferric ion through cation exchange with a ferric ion compound.
2. The amalgam of claim 1 which consists of said zeolite and ferric ion.
3. The amalgam of claim 1 wherein the ferric ion is derived from FeO(OH).
4. The amalgam of claim 2 wherein the ferric ion is derived from FeO(OH).
5. A method to remove ammonia and phosphate from an aqueous environment that contains ammonia and phosphate which method comprises contacting said environment with the amalgam of claim 1 .
6. A method to remove ammonia and phosphate from an aqueous environment that contains ammonia and phosphate which method comprises contacting said environment with the amalgam of claim 2 .
7. A method to remove ammonia and phosphate from an aqueous environment that contains ammonia and phosphate which method comprises contacting said environment with the amalgam of claim 3 .
8. A method to remove ammonia and phosphate from an aqueous environment that contains ammonia and phosphate which method comprises contacting said environment with the amalgam of claim 4 .
9. A solid precipitate obtained by the method of claim 5 , that releases nitrogen and/or phosphorus in a continuous slow release.
10. A solid precipitate obtained by the method of claim 6 , that releases nitrogen and/or phosphorus in a continuous slow release.
11. A solid precipitate obtained by the method of claim 7 , that releases nitrogen and/or phosphorus in a continuous slow release.
12. A solid precipitate obtained by the method of claim 8 , that releases nitrogen and/or phosphorus in a continuous slow release.
13. A method to fertilize a field which comprises adding the precipitate of claim 9 to said field.
14. A method to fertilize a field which comprises adding the precipitate of claim 10 to said field.
15. A method to fertilize a field which comprises adding the precipitate of claim 11 to said field.
16. A method to fertilize a field which comprises adding the precipitate of claim 12 to said field.
17. The method of claim 13 that results in increased herd capacity on a dairy farm.
18. The method of claim 14 that results in increased herd capacity on a dairy farm.
19. The method of claim 15 that results in increased herd capacity on a dairy farm.
20. The method of claim 16 that results in increased herd capacity on a dairy farm.