Graphical abstract Highlights • An innovative, cost-efficient spraying system for NH 4 +-N removal has been developed. • Increasing value of factors can drastically enhance mass transfer coefficient (K La). • All parameters of system were optimized according to cost and discharge standard. • NH 4 +-N decreased to 68.9 mg L−1 (<80) after 8 h treatment under optimal conditions. • Over 85% recovery rate for NH 4 +-N could be obtained by absorption of H 3 PO 4. Abstract An innovative spraying system for NH 4 +-N removal and recovery was investigated under different pH, temperature, spraying frequency and rate by using spraying system. Results showed that NH 4 +-N removal efficiency and mass transfer coefficient (K La) value in swine wastewater (SW) remarkably increased with increasing of temperature, spraying frequency and rate due to promoting the diffusion of NH 3 molecules caused by increasing specific surface of SW molecule, and high shear force and temperature difference between SW and circulating heating tube. Considering the cost and discharge standard, the optimum parameters for NH 4 +-N removal from SW using spraying system were alkaline, 0.24 m3 h−1 of continuous spraying, and 45 °C circulating water, and the NH 4 +-N decreased from 591.2 to 68.9 mg L−1 (<80 mg L−1) after 8 h treatment, and this value corresponded to 88.35% removal rate. Furthermore, over 85% recovery rate for NH 4 +-N could be obtained through absorption of phosphoric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]