Granulated Activated Carbon Filtration Research Articles

Semi-crystalline microplastics in wastewater plant effluents and removal efficiencies of post-treatment filtration systems

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have been found in every environmental compartment. Wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as possible point sources contributing to the emission of microplastic particles (MPP) into the aquatic environment. So far, MPP in wastewater effluents have mainly been analyzed by spectroscopic methods resulting in concentrations as number per volume. In this study, we present mass concentrations in the secondary effluents of four German municipal WWTPs, removal efficiencies of seven post-treatment systems and the resulting load emissions. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used for the analysis of semi-crystalline MPs. The concentrations of secondary effluents ranged from 0.1 to 19.6 µg L-1. Removal efficiencies > 94% were found for a microfiltration membrane (MF), two cloth types of a pile cloth media filter (PCMF), a micro strainer, a discontinuous downflow granulated activated carbon filter (GAC) and a powdered activated carbon (PAC) stage with clarifier and rapid sand filtration. A rapid sand filter (RSF) at WWTP B showed a removal efficiency of 82.38%. Only a continuous upflow GAC filter at WWTP C proved to be unsuitable for MP removal with an average removal efficiency of 1.9%.

Imaging of particle deposition and resulting flow field during flocculation filtration within a granulated activated carbon filter

Flocculation filtration onto granulated activated carbon (GAC) filters is an advanced treatment method to achieve lower phosphorous and micropollutant discharge in wastewater treatment plants. However, the suitability is put into question as the deposition of suspended solids (SS) onto a GAC filter is aligned with more frequent backwashing ongoing with abrasion of GAC and downtimes. To evaluate the filtration process of SS onto GAC filters on the pore scale, we resolved the particle deposition in a timely and spatially resolved image series by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Besides structural images, flow measurements were acquired to evaluate the impact of SS accumulation onto the local flow field. The column had an inner surface area of 1.54 cm2 and was filled with GAC up to 10 cm in height. In total, 6.4 L of wastewater originating from a secondary clarifier were added to the GAC filter in steps of 0.2 L. The wastewater contained approximately 8.4 mg/L TSS after flocculation and precipitation. Results of one experimental run are presented. Particle accumulations within the GAC filter as well as a formation of a deposit layer was found. During the filtration process preferential inflow points into the GAC filter were recognizable. The transition of a preferential inflow point to another was often aligned with the redistribution of upper parts of the GAC filter and a compaction of accumulated SS. Analysis of flow distributions revealed that the equivalent filter velocity of 28.8 m/h is 2.3 times higher compared to the average filter velocity (12.5 m/h including porosity). Further, the equivalent filter velocity increased up to 100.8 m/h at the end of the experiment. As particles do not distribute equally over the filter height, those velocities are not representative for the whole height of GAC filters. The current study provides insights into a real flocculation filtration process without using artificial materials for imaging purposes.

Effectiveness of a Constructed Wetland with Carbon Filtration in Reducing Pesticides Associated with Agricultural Runoff

The Salinas Valley in Monterey County, California, USA, is a highly productive agricultural region. Irrigation runoff containing pesticides at concentrations toxic to aquatic organisms poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems within local watersheds. This study monitored the effectiveness of a constructed wetland treatment system with a granulated activated carbon (GAC) filter installation at reducing pesticide concentrations and associated toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, and Chironomus dilutus. The wetland was supplied with water pumped from an impaired agricultural and urban drainage. Across five monitoring trials, the integrated system’s average pesticide concentration reduction was 52%. The wetland channel and GAC filtration components individually provided significant treatment, and within each, pesticide solubility had a significant effect on changes in pesticide concentrations. The integrated treatment system also reduced nitrate by 61%, phosphate by 73%, and turbidity by 90%. Input water was significantly toxic to C. dubia and H. azteca in the first trial. Toxicity to C. dubia persisted throughout the system, whereas toxicity to H. azteca was removed by the channel, but there was residual toxicity post-GAC. The final trial had significant input toxicity to H. azteca and C. dilutus. The channel reduced toxicity to H. azteca and removed toxicity to C. dilutus. GAC filtration reduced H. azteca toxicity to an insignificant level. There was no input toxicity in the other three trials. The results demonstrate that a wetland treatment system coupled with GAC filtration can reduce pesticide concentrations, nutrients, suspended particles, and aquatic toxicity associated with agricultural runoff.

Methyl-Cyclohexane Methanol (MCHM) Isomer-Dependent Binding on Amorphous Carbon Surfaces.

In January 2014, over 10,000 gallons of methyl-cyclohexane methanol (MCHM) leaked into the Elk River in West Virginia, in a chemical spill incident that contaminated a large portion of the state’s water supply and left over 300,000 residents without clean water for many days and weeks. Initial efforts to remove MCHM at the treatment plant centered on the use of granulated activated carbon (GAC), which removed some of the chemical from the water, but MCHM levels were not lowered to a “non-detect” status until well after the chemical plume had moved downstream of the intake. Months later, MCHM was again detected at the outflow (but not the inflow) at the water treatment facility, necessitating the full and costly replacement of all GAC in the facility. The purpose of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that preferential absorbance of one of the two MCHM isomers, coupled with seasonal variations in water temperature, explain this contrary observation. Calculated intermolecular potentials between ovalene (a large planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) and the MCHM isomers were compared to physisorption potentials of MCHM onto an amorphous carbon model. While a molecular mechanics (MM) force field predicts no difference in the average interaction potentials between the cis- and trans-MCHM with the planar ovalene structure, MM predicts that the trans isomer binds stronger than the cis isomer to the amorphous carbon surface. Semi-empirical and density functional theory also predict stronger binding of trans-MCHM on both the planar and amorphous surfaces. The differences in the isomer binding strengths on amorphous carbon imply preferential absorbance of the trans isomer onto activated charcoal filter media. Considering seasonal water temperatures, simple Arrhenius kinetics arguments based on these predicted binding energies help explain the environmental observations of MCHM leeching from the GAC filters months after the spill. Overall, this work shows the important implications that can arise from detailed interfacial chemistry investigations.

Removal of pharmaceutical metabolites in wastewater ozonation including their fate in different post-treatments

Advanced treatment technologies for the removal of pharmaceuticals and other organic micropollutants in WWTPs primarily target the removal of parent compounds. Nevertheless, the removal of metabolites originating from human- or microbial metabolism during biological treatment needs comparable consideration, as some of them might be present in high concentrations and contribute to toxicity.This study was conducted to elucidate the removal of human and microbial metabolites of pharmaceuticals as a function of the specific ozone dose. Ozonation was performed on four sites with two pilot- and two full-scale plants operated downstream of conventional activated sludge plants. The ozone reactivity of all metabolites (expressed as the ozone dose to remove 90% of the compound/decadic ozone dose) was lower than those of their parent compounds. The decadic ozone dose was 1.0, 1.3 and 1.1 mg O3/mg DOC for Epoxy-carbamazepine, Di-OH-carbamazepine and N-Desmethyl tramadol, respectively.20–40% of the remaining metabolites were removed in a polishing sand/BAC-filter (biological activated carbon). Similar removal was observed for Epoxy-carbamazepine, Di-OH-carbamazepine and Hydroxy-diclofenac in a constructed wetland. However, the sand/anthracite filter had no effect. All four metabolites were removed in a GAC (granulated activated carbon) filter.

Removal of natural organic matter and emerging contaminants from groundwater using ozonation and GAC filtration

This work presents results from a pilot-scale drinking water treatment plant used to investigate the performance of ozone oxidation and granulated activated carbon (GAC) adsorption in removing natural organic matter (NOM) and specific organic micropollutants from groundwater. The investigated groundwater has a relatively low NOM content (1.83?1.01 mg C/L total organic carbon, TOC). Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) screening analysis, a variety of different organic compounds were identified, including benzophenone, 2-phenoxyethanol, butylated hydroxytoluene and benzoic acid, all contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) identified by NORMAN. The application of the ozonation process resulted in a 4-20% NOM reduction, based on the TOC values. Estimated removal of CECs by ozone increased with increasing ozone dose (up to 1.0 g O3/m3) and was in the range 24-70%. Adsorption on GAC further improves total NOM and CECs removal compared to the ozonation alone. Combined use of ozone and GAC provides up to 16-33% TOC reduction as well as 70-82% CECs removal. UV absorbance values at 254 nm can serve as an indicator of aromatic carbon content in water, and were significantly reduced after ozonation and GAC filtration (by up to 50%). Among the CECs investigated, benzophenone was the most prone to oxidation/adsorption treatment. In addition to the naturally present organic matter, CECs detected can serve as indicators of anthropogenic pollution which may alter drinking water quality. Tracking their behaviour during treatment allows assessment of the efficiency of the technological line and optimization of the oxidation process in the case of groundwater pollution by infiltration.

Application of Green Technology Using Biological Means for the Adsorption of Micro-Pollutants in Water

It is true that the world we have today is not the world we use to know. The Covid-19 pandemic has paralyzed all sector, hence the need for safety and enabling environment for mankind is of high importance. Adsorption technology is far the best and cheapest treatment technology for water and has extensively proven its worth for the uptake of micro-pollutant from surface, ground and water which are the major channels of home water. Over the years activated carbon is considered as the most common and universally used adsorbent for the eradication of different types of micro-pollutants from water. The contamination of surface water by micro-pollutant is a potential threat for the production of high quality and safe drinking water. Adsorption operation onto granulated activated carbon (GAC) in fixed-bed filters is often applied as a remedying step in the synthesis of safe and drinkable water. Activated carbon actively tends to act as a carrier material for a thin usually resistant layer of microorganisms (mostly bacteria) that forms on the coat of various surfaces (biofilm), hence biological simplification can be an alternative removal approach that can be adopted in granulated activated carbon filters. To evaluate the capacity of biofilm to biologically simplify micro-pollutants, it is very imperative to distinguish adsorption from biological simplification (biodegradation) as a removal mechanism. Experiment was carried out under the operating condition of a temperature range of 6?C to 20?C with biologically activated and autoclaved GAC to assess the biological simplification by the biofilm adsorbed on the GAC surface. Five micro-pollutants were selected as model compounds, of which some of them were biologically simplified by the GAC biofilm. Additionally, we observed that temperature can increase or decrease adsorption. Conclusively, comparison was made on the adsorption capacity of granulated activated carbon used for more than 50,000 beds.

Formation of chlorination by-products in drinking water treatment plants using breakpoint chlorination

In drinking water treatment plants generally chlorination is applied for disinfection using Cl2, ClO2, or NaOCl reagents. In Hungary due to the relatively high ammonium ion concentration of source water originating from deep aquifiers, not only the disinfection but simultaneously the ammonium ion removal is also a crucial task to prevent the nitrite formation. For this purposes the breakpoint chlorination is used which needs approximately 10 times more chlorine than the disinfection resulting in enhanced formation of organic and inorganic by-products. Chlorination by-product formation was investigated in twelve drinking water treatment plants applying breakpoint chlorination. Trihalomethanes were detected in the highest concentration (14.7 μg/L to 143 μg/L), followed by haloacetic acids and haloacetonitriles. In 50% of the investigated water treatment plants, the concentration of trihalomethanes in finished water exceeded the Hungarian parametric value, but it was the same range as in water supplies using chlorine for disinfection. The concentration of trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles and adsorbable organic halides in finished water was found to correlate with residual free chlorine (r > 0.5) and raw water temperature (r > 0.48). At high bromide concentration (cBr- > 0.2 mg/L) of the raw water the proportion of brominated by-products (trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) increased up to 50%. Chlorate concentration was particularly high at drinking water treatment plants using hypochlorite (0.66–2.0 mg/L).By-products are mostly generated at breakpoint chlorination, but their additional formation within the water distribution system is also significant, especially where the concentration of free chlorine is high and the residence time is long. Elimination (potentially biodegradation) of haloacetic acids and haloacetonitriles was observed at several sampling sites. The efficiency of the granulated activated carbon filters in removing adsorbable organic halides, trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids amounted generally under 25%.

Fluoroether taints water wells near West Virginia Chemours plant

A fluoroether from a Chemours plant near Petersburg, W.Va., contaminates public and private well water in Ohio and West Virginia, the U.S. EPA announced on April 23. This marks the first time that the industrial chemical hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) has been found in U.S. water outside of North Carolina. In that state, the substance contaminates the Cape Fear River downstream of a Chemours plant near Fayetteville that makes fluoroethers. HFPO-DA has also been found in that river’s sediments, well water up to 11 km from the plant, and rainwater. Tests of well water in West Virginia and Ohio found HFPO-DA at levels ranging from 16 to 81 parts per trillion in untreated drinking water from nine of 14 wells that Chemours sampled earlier this year at EPA’s behest. Drinking water drawn from these wells is run through granulated activated carbon filters to strip out another industrial compound, perfluorooctanoic

In vitro bioanalysis of drinking water from source to tap

The presence of chemical pollutants in sources of drinking water is a key environmental problem threatening public health. Efficient removal of pollutants in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) is needed as well as methods for assessment of the total impact of all present chemicals on water quality. In the present study we have analyzed the bioactivity of water samples from source to tap, including effects of various water treatments in a DWTP, using a battery of cell-based bioassays, covering health-relevant endpoints. Reporter gene assays were used to analyze receptor activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and induction of oxidative stress by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). DNA damage was determined by Comet assay. Grab water samples were concentrated by HLB or ENV solid phase extraction and the water samples assayed at a relative enrichment factor of 50. The enrichment procedure did not induce any bioactivity. No bioactivity was detected in Milli-Q water or drinking water control samples. Induction of AhR, ER and Nrf2 activities was revealed in source to tap water samples. No cytotoxicity, PPARα or AR antagonist activity, or DNA damage were observed in any of the water samples. A low AR agonist activity was detected in a few samples of surface water, but not in the samples from the DWTP. The treatment steps at the DWTP, coagulation, granulated activated carbon filtration, UV disinfection and NH2Cl dosing had little or no effect on the AhR, Nrf2 and ER bioactivity. However, nanofiltration and passage through the distribution network drastically decreased AhR activity, while the effect on Nrf2 activity was more modest and no apparent effect was observed on ER activity. The present results suggest that bioassays are useful tools for evaluation of the efficiency of different treatment steps in DWTPs in reducing toxic activities. Bioassays of AhR and Nrf2 are useful for screening of effects of a broad range of chemicals in drinking water and ER activity can be monitored with a high sensitivity.

Small, mobile, persistent: Trifluoroacetate in the water cycle – Overlooked sources, pathways, and consequences for drinking water supply

Elevated concentrations of trifluoroacetate (TFA) of more than 100 μg/L in a major German river led to the occurrence of more than 20 μg/L TFA in bank filtration based tap waters. Several spatially resolved monitoring programs were conducted and discharges from an industrial company were identified as the point source of TFA contamination. Treatment options for TFA removal were investigated at full-scale waterworks and in laboratory batch tests. Commonly applied techniques like ozonation or granulated activated carbon filtration are inappropriate for TFA removal, whereas TFA was partly removed by ion exchange and completely retained by reverse osmosis.Further investigations identified wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as additional TFA dischargers into the aquatic environment. TFA was neither removed by biological wastewater treatment, nor by a retention soil filter used for the treatment of combined sewer overflows. WWTP influents can even bear a TFA formation potential, when appropriate CF3-containing precursors are present. Biological degradation and ozonation batch experiments with chemicals of different classes (flurtamone, fluopyram, tembotrione, flufenacet, fluoxetine, sitagliptine and 4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate) proved that there are yet overlooked sources and pathways of TFA, which need to be addressed in the future.

Effectivity of advanced wastewater treatment: reduction of in vitro endocrine activity and mutagenicity but not of in vivo reproductive toxicity.

Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have a limited capacity to eliminate micropollutants. One option to improve this is tertiary treatment. Accordingly, the WWTP Eriskirch at the German river Schussen has been upgraded with different combinations of ozonation, sand, and granulated activated carbon filtration. In this study, the removal of endocrine and genotoxic effects in vitro and reproductive toxicity in vivo was assessed in a 2-year long-term monitoring. All experiments were performed with aqueous and solid-phase extracted water samples. Untreated wastewater affected several endocrine endpoints in reporter gene assays. The conventional treatment removed the estrogenic and androgenic activity by 77 and 95%, respectively. Nevertheless, high anti-estrogenic activities and reproductive toxicity persisted. All advanced treatment technologies further reduced the estrogenic activities by additional 69-86% compared to conventional treatment, resulting in a complete removal of up to 97%. In the Ames assay, we detected an ozone-induced mutagenicity, which was removed by subsequent filtration. This demonstrates that a post treatment to ozonation is needed to minimize toxic oxidative transformation products. In the reproduction test with the mudsnail Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a decreased number of embryos was observed for all wastewater samples. This indicates that reproductive toxicants were eliminated by neither the conventional nor the advanced treatment. Furthermore, aqueous samples showed higher anti-estrogenic and reproductive toxicity than extracted samples, indicating that the causative compounds are not extractable or were lost during extraction. This underlines the importance of the adequate handling of wastewater samples. Taken together, this study demonstrates that combinations of multiple advanced technologies reduce endocrine effects in vitro. However, they did not remove in vitro anti-estrogenicity and in vivo reproductive toxicity. This implies that a further optimization of advanced wastewater treatment is needed that goes beyond combining available technologies.

Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment technologies for the reduction of hormonal activity in effluents and connected surface water bodies by means of vitellogenin analyses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario).

Endocrine effects in the aquatic environment are in the focus of scientists and media along with debates on the necessity of further steps in wastewater treatment. In the present study VTG responses were compared to evaluate upgrades at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). We investigated several advanced sewage treatment technologies at two WWTPs connected to the Schussen, a tributary of Lake Constance, for the reduction of hormonal activity: (1) a powdered activated charcoal filter at the WWTP Langwiese; and (2) a combination of ozonation, sand filter, and granulated activated carbon filter at the WWTP Eriskirch. Rainbow trout and brown trout were either directly exposed to the effluents in aquaria or cages, or in a bypass system flown through by surface water of the Schussen. As a reference, trout were kept in bypass aquaria at the Argen River, which is less influenced by micropollutants. As a biomarker for estrogenicity, we analyzed the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin in immature rainbow trout and brown trout and in trout larvae (100 days post-fertilization) prior to and after the upgrade with the new technologies. Trout of different ages and species were used to detect differences in their sensitivity. At both bypass stations, larvae of brown trout showed significantly higher vitellogenin levels prior to the upgrade compared to negative control levels. Female brown trout exposed at the bypass station downstream of the WWTP showed decreased vitellogenin levels after the upgrade. In 1-year-old immature trout directly exposed to the respective effluents, no significant effects of the upgrades on vitellogenin levels were found. In general, larger effects were observed in brown trout than in rainbow trout, indicating that they are more sensitive test organisms.

Photocatalytic inactivation of particle-associated Escherichia coli using UV/TiO2

We investigated the photocatalytic inactivation of free Escherichia coli and E. coli attached to carbon particles using granulated activated carbon filter effluent as a water sample. The inactivation rates of both free and attached E. coli exposed to UV/TiO2 were higher than that using UV irradiation alone. However, attached E. coli was barely inactivated because of the protection of particles, which acted as hotspots for protection against inactivation of attached E. coli in the effluent. During inactivation, a lower UV irradiation intensity favored inactivation by UV/TiO2 for a given UV irradiation dose (irradiation intensity over time), because a longer irradiation period favored higher disinfection efficiency. Particles with a diameter >8 μm were predominantly responsible for protecting attached E. coli, and a higher particle concentration was associated with lower inactivation. The reactivation of E. coli after UV/TiO2 disinfection was lower than that after UV irradiation alone, and the reactivation rate decreased with increasing UV irradiation dose.

Sorption and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, bisphenol A and phthalates in landfill leachate using sand, activated carbon and peat filters

Landfill leachates are repeatedly found contaminated with organic pollutants, such as alkylphenols (APs), phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at levels exceeding water quality standards. It has been shown that these pollutants may be present in the colloidal and truly dissolved phase in contaminated water, making particle separation an inefficient removal method. The aim of this study was to investigate sorption and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), selected APs, bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates and PAHs from landfill leachate using sand, granulated activated carbon (GAC) and peat moss filters. A pilot plant was installed at an inactive landfill with mixed industrial and household waste and samples were collected before and after each filter during two years.Leachate pre-treated in oil separator and sedimentation pond failed to meet water quality standards in most samples and little improvement was seen after the sand filter. These techniques are based on particle removal, whereas the analysed pollutants are found, to varying degrees, bound to colloids or dissolved. However, even highly hydrophobic compounds expected to be particle-bound, such as the PHCs and high-molecular weight PAHs, were poorly removed in the sand filter. The APs and BPA were completely removed by the GAC filter, while mass balance calculations indicate that 50–80% of the investigated phenols were removed in the peat filter. Results suggest possible AP degradation in peat filters. No evidence of phthalate degradation in the landfill, pond or the filters was found. The PHCs were completely removed in 50% and 35% of the measured occasions in the GAC and peat filters, respectively. The opposite trend was seen for removal of PAHs in GAC (50%) and peat (63%). Oxygenated PAHs with high toxicity were found in the leachates but not in the pond sediment. These compounds are likely formed in the pond water, which is alarming because sedimentation ponds are commonly used treatment techniques. The oxy-PAHs were effectively removed in the GAC, and especially the peat filter. It was hypothesized that dissolved compounds would adsorb equally well to the peat and GAC filters. This was not completely supported as the GAC filter was in general more efficient than peat.

Biological activity in expanded clay (EC) and granulated activated carbon (GAC) seawater filters

ABSTRACT Seawater filters containing expanded clay (EC) and granulated activated carbon (GAC) media were operated for 14 months. The biological activity found after concentrating the backwashed sludge was analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 16 s rRNA gene cloning. FISH and SEM analyses confirmed the presence of extracellular polymeric substances derived from bacteria, and planktonic and benthic eukaryotic microorganisms were found. The bacterial community distribution examined by cloning and sequencing of the 16 s rRNA bacterial genes demonstrated that both filter populations were dominated by the Proteobacteria class, accounting for 68 and 50% of the EC and GAC filter populations, respectively, followed by Bacteroidetes (10 and 22%), Planctomycetes (6 and 10%), Verrucomicrobia (6 and 13%) and others that occurred at lesser extents ( Dominant classes observed in both EC and GAC libraries are close to seawater reverse osmosis membrane libraries, and most of them are often linked to biofilm promoters, suggesting that both types of media could act as accumulators of biofilm promoters.

Enhanced removal of humic acid from water by micelle-montmorillonite composites: Comparison to granulated activated carbon

Removal of humic acid (HA) from water by octadecyltrimethyl-ammonium (ODTMA) micelle–montmorillonite (MMT) composites and by granulated activated carbon (GAC) was studied in dispersion and by filtration. FTIR measurements emphasized that the ODTMA micelle–clay-mineral composite differs from the ODTMA monomer-clay-mineral one. HA adsorption by GAC in dispersion was moderately reduced from 100% initially to 75% with an increase in HA concentrations. In contrast, the fractions adsorbed by the composite increased monotonically with HA concentrations from very low adsorption up to 80%. This effect was explained by the presence of a small concentration of ODTMA monomers in dispersion, which adsorbed on the negatively charged HA and partially neutralized it, or caused charge reversal, which in turn inhibited HA adsorption by the positively charged composite. This effect was verified by mobility measurements and was found to be more pronounced at low HA concentrations. This trend of increase in HA removal with an increase in HA concentration (3 and 10 ppm) was also observed in filtration (50% and 85% removal, respectively), when employing columns of the composite mixed with sand (to improve flow). Throughout the experiment the removal of high HA concentration (10 ppm) by the composite filter remained ~ 80% whereas, the removal by the GAC filter decreased from an initial 80% removal to a complete recovery of the HA (no removal) after the passage of 20 L (200 pore volumes). Upon applying sand of higher quality in the columns the removal of low HA concentrations was nearly complete by the composite column while the GAC only slightly contributed to its removal (for a passage of 100 L (1000 pore volumes)).

Formation and removal of genotoxic activity during UV/H 2O 2–GAC treatment of drinking water

The objective of this study was to determine the genotoxic activity of water after UV/H 2O 2 oxidation and GAC filtration. Pre-treated surface water from three locations was treated with UV/H 2O 2 with medium pressure (MP) lamps and passed through granulated activated carbon (GAC). Samples taken before and after each treatment step were extracted and concentrated by solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed for genotoxicity using the Comet assay with HepG2 cells and the Ames II assay. The Comet assay showed no genotoxic response in any of the samples. In the Ames II, no genotoxic response was obtained with the TAMix (a mix of six strains), but the TA98 strain showed an increase in genotoxic activity after MP-UV/H 2O 2 for all three locations. GAC post treatment effectively reduced the activities to control levels at two of the three locations and to below the level of the pre-treated water at one site. The results indicate that UV/H 2O 2 treatment may lead to the formation of genotoxic by-products, which can be removed by subsequent GAC filtration.

Study of different pretreatments for reverse osmosis reclamation of a petrochemical secondary effluent

Conventionally treated petrochemical wastewaters contain substantial quantities of hazardous pollutants. In addition, wastewater reuse is being enhanced as a consequence of the shortage of fresh water. Advanced petrochemical wastewater treatment for water reuse will reduce hazardous pollutants discharges as well as water consumption. Reverse osmosis is a suitable technology to obtain pure water. This work studies the adequacy of different pretreatments applied to a petrochemical secondary effluent to produce a suitable feeding for reverse osmosis treatment. The permeate obtained can be used in the petrochemical industry for different processes. In this work, several experiments (granulated activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and granulated activated carbon filtration coupled with nanofiltration) were performed to improve the conventional pretreatment. Total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity and silt density index were used to evaluate water quality for reverse osmosis feeding. In granulated activated carbon filtration, all the measured parameters but silt density index indicated a good filtrate quality to feed reverse osmosis membranes. Although the ultrafiltration permeate obtained was suitable for reverse osmosis, nanofiltration and granulated activated carbon filtration coupled with NF provided a better effluent quality for reverse osmosis than the other pretreatments studied.

Prefiltration of wastewater effluent: Effects on foulants and performance during dead end ultrafiltration

An important trend in the development of ultrafiltration (UF) of wastewater effluent is the integration of pretreatment to improve the performance of membranes. In this paper the results of a study on the effect of three prefiltration techniques (multimedia filtration, granulated activated carbon filtration and biological activated carbon filtration) on foulants and performance of UF are presented. The objectives of the study are: (1) to establish the different effect of three prefiltration configurations on performance of UF and foulants of wastewater effluent and (2), to determine in which particle size range the most particles or colloidals are removed after the three prefiltration configurations. From all of the filters, the biological granulated activated carbon filter (BGAC) presented the highest increase of filterability. During this study, the specific ultrafiltration resistance (SUR) value of the filtrate is always below 5 · 10 12 m − 2 independent on the incoming SUR value. From all the foulants especially the proteins and humic substances are removed by granulated activated carbon filter (GAC) and BGAC. BGAC is the only prefiltration technique that shows significant removal of the fraction between 0.1 µm and 0.2 µm.