Effect of Water pH on Coagulation Process Efficiency with Powdered Activated Carbon

Abstract

Wpływ pH wody na efektywność procesu koagulacji wspomaganej węglem aktywnym Effect of Water pH on Coagulation Process Efficiency with Powdered Activated CarbonThe efficiency of powdered activated carbon for removal of colour, organic substances and chosen heavy metal ions (nickel, cadmium, lead) from surface water, as well as for enhancement of the coagulation process in removal of these contaminants, was evaluated. For the research, water from the Warta river, powdered activated carbons: AKPA-22, CWZ-22, CWZ-30 and pre-hydrolysed polyaluminium chlorides: PAX-XL19F and PAX-XL1910S, were used. Depending on the type of applied powdered activated carbon, 46÷58% removal of lead, 21÷29% removal of cadmium and 17÷21% removal of nickel were obtained. Reduction of colour in the adsorption process amounted to 33÷60%, and 14÷17% in DOC content. Better removal of organic compounds from studied surface water was obtained at a reduced water pH (pH = 6.3), and cadmium at elevated pH (pH = 8.2). Depending on the water pH, with the usage of coagulants and CWZ-22 carbon, a reduction in lead ion concentration by 74÷91% was obtained, cadmium by 9÷88%, nickel by 9÷71%. Change of water reaction had the main impact on the increase in efficiency of cadmium and nickel removal. The content of organic compounds, assayed as DOC and oxygen consumption, was decreased by 29÷37% and 45÷70%, respectively. Water colour was reduced by 60÷77%. Evaluating the importance of adsorption in removal of studied contaminants, it can be concluded that in case of polyaluminum chlorides and activated carbon usage, the elimination of these contaminants was determined by the coagulation process.