A new electrically powered filter can strip nearly all ammonia nitrogen from wastewater in just over a minute while also breaking down carbon-based pollution.

Researchers have developed an electro-filtration process that uses chlorine oxide radicals (·ClO) generated inside a specialized membrane to remove nitrogen and organic contaminants simultaneously. Reported in Engineering, the technology could provide a faster and more efficient way to treat complex wastewater without adding chemical precursors.

Wastewater treatment plants often rely on separate biological, chemical, and physical steps to control different pollutants. Ammonia can damage aquatic ecosystems by consuming oxygen and promoting excessive algal growth, while organic contaminants contribute to the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of discharged water.