Ammonia concentrations between which values are considered beneficial to anaerobic digestion?

The range of ammonia concentrations between 50 to 200 mg/L is beneficial to anaerobic digestion because ammonia, specifically in its un-ionized form, can serve as a nitrogen source for the microorganisms involved in the digestion process. This nitrogen is essential for microbial growth and metabolism, increasing efficiency in breaking down organic materials.

At concentrations within this range, ammonia supports microbial activity without being toxic. If ammonia levels were too low, the microorganisms might not have sufficient nitrogen for optimal growth and function. Conversely, if ammonia concentrations exceed this desirable range, particularly beyond 200 mg/L, they can become inhibitory or even toxic to some of the microbial populations crucial for effective anaerobic digestion, thus hindering the overall digestion process and potentially leading to system failure.

Thus, maintaining ammonia concentrations in the 50 to 200 mg/L range is critical for achieving efficient anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment systems.