AWWA SP250172 ✓ Most Recent

This report presents an original treatment integrating the use of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in an ultrafiltration loop. This combination makes it possible to accomplish within one single physical apparatus two essential unit operations (clarification and adsorption) usually performed successively in two separate reactors. This combination was applied to two different types of water: a surface water containing turbidity, organic carbon, and micropollutants; a deep well water containing taste and odor causing substances. It is shown that the addition of PAC does not impair the filtration rate, whether it is applied at low (ppm) or normal to high (15 ppm) dosages. Furthermore, it is shown that the use of PAC makes it possible to remove reliably dissolved organic carbon and micropollutants. It is also shown that despite a quite short contact time, the adsorption yield is close to 100%. This is attributes to the hydraulic regime, favoring the mass transfer of the organics towards the adsorbent. See more