Granular activated carbon adsorption process for removing trichloroethylene from groundwater

Abstract

Batch adsorption capacity experiments and continuous flow breakthrough experiments were conducted to compare the effectiveness of seven granular activated carbons (GACs) in removing trichloroethylene (TCE) from groundwater. The order of GACs' adsorptive capacities for TCE was the same as their phenol numbers (indicator for \1 nm micropores). A small amount of methanol (0.05% v/v) did not affect the pure water TCE capacities, which were notably reduced by the small organic constituents of tap water. The breakthrough results show low utilization of the available adsorptive capacity due to both slow mass transport and the need to achieve a high degree of TCE removal, and that the serial bed mode of treatment is cost effective because a very high capacity utilization can be attained. The low-cost, environmental friendly bamboo GAC is attractive as its competitive TCE capacity was readily used in actual treatment because of its favorable pore structure.

Removal of MTBE in biological activated carbon adsorbers

“…An organic pollutant is most strongly adsorbed on the internal surface area of pores slightly larger than its effective MD; GAC's relative capacity for MTBE (MD 5 0.6 nm) was in the same order as its phenol number [13] which is also a good capacity indicator for such small organic molecules as nitrobenzene [14], chloroform [24], and trichloroethylene [25]. An organic pollutant is most strongly adsorbed on the internal surface area of pores slightly larger than its effective MD; GAC's relative capacity for MTBE (MD 5 0.6 nm) was in the same order as its phenol number [13] which is also a good capacity indicator for such small organic molecules as nitrobenzene [14], chloroform [24], and trichloroethylene [25].…”

Charaterization of Pore Structure and Surface Chemistry of Activated Carbons – A Review

“…According to its various appearance, AC is divided into cylindrical activated carbon (CAC) (Wang, J. C., et al, 2008), granular activated carbon (GAC) (Huang, L., et al, 2011, Saoudi&Hamdaoui, 2011, powder activated carbon (PAC) (Li, et al, 2009a, Li, et al, 2009b, Li, et al, 2010b and acivated carbon fiber (ACF) (Li, et al, 2010a). In terms of extent of its pore development, AC is classified as microporous activated carbon/activated carbon fiber (Li, et al, 2009a, Li, et al, 2010a and mesoporous activated carbon (Zhang, Y., et al, 2011b).…”

Recovery of chlorinated solvent trichloroethylene contaminated groundwater using a hybrid treatment system

“…Thus, sorption was the one of the major mechanisms, which caused the decrease in TCE concentrations in solution containing porous materials (Mudliar et al 2010;Wei et al 2010). Huang et al (2010) used different types of PAC to evaluate the adsorption mechanisms using porous materials. Their results indicated that the adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) in water by porous materials would cause the occurrence of competitive adsorption mechanism, which resulted in the decease in TCE removal.…”

“…Thus, alternative pre-treatment technology for groundwater purification is required. Fiber ball filtration (FF) has been applied to replace traditional sand filtration and biofiltration for small particle removal in recent years (Huang et al 2010). Xue et al (2008) used FF as the pre-treatment unit for hotel wastewater treatment before the dual membrane system (UF/RO) was applied for water reclamation.…”

“…Compared to traditional physical/chemical treatment processes, membrane processes have the advantages of approving water quality, saving space, saving chemical dosage, reducing sludge from chemical processes, and selectively eliminate physical, chemical, and microbiological contaminants from wastewater (Huang et al 2010). Thus, using membrane processes is increasingly popular for wastewater reuse applications, and membrane technology is being considered as a reliable option for wastewater reclamation.…”