Electrified Membrane Flow‑Cell Reactor for Nitrate Removal and Green Ammonia Production (Electrified Membrane Flow‑Cell Reactor for Concurrent Nitrate Reduction and Ammonia Production from Wastewater, Tech ID: 22‑013)
Technology Overview: This technology introduces an electrified membrane flow‑cell reactor that simultaneously removes nitrate from wastewater and converts it into ammonia. By integrating electrochemical reduction with membrane‑based separation, the system enables selective nitrate conversion while capturing ammonia as a valuable product. The platform supports energy‑efficient operation and aligns with circular‑economy approaches by transforming a regulated contaminant into a useful chemical feedstock.
Industry Pain Point: Nitrate contamination poses environmental risks, while conventional removal methods generate waste without resource recovery.
NJIT Solution: This reactor enables simultaneous remediation and valorization, converting nitrate into ammonia in a single system.
Key Features & Advantages
- Concurrent nitrate removal and ammonia production
- Integrated electrochemical‑membrane design
- Supports resource recovery from wastewater
- Scalable for decentralized treatment
Development Stage: TRL 3–4 – Laboratory validation demonstrated.
Target Markets
- Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment
- Resource recovery and nutrient management
- Distributed ammonia production
Market Opportunity
- Global water treatment market (2026): ~$330B
- CAGR: ~6–7%
- Projected market size (2035): ~$560–580B
Commercial & IP Details
Inventors: Jianan Gao, Bo Jiang, Wen Zhang