A simple and cost-effective method for conducting adsorption breakthrough experiments in a microsize carbon column is proposed; it is much faster than the conventional methods. Relative to the existing microcolumn rapid breakthrough (MCRB) methods, this method employs simplified procedure, low cost and readily available pump, sampler, and piping and fittings to allow its practice in an ordinary environmental laboratory. The efficient MCRB method may be employed to identify the best granular activated carbon, to verify its treatment effectiveness, and to estimate its capacity utilization rate and the adsorption treatment cost. The effects of particle size and empty bed contact time on MCRB test results were determined. The validity and benefits of this MCRB method were demonstrated by the adsorption breakthrough data for phenol, red dye X3B, tannic acid, MTBE, 2,4-dichrophenol, and the organic pollutants in a biologically treated coking plant effluent. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2007
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