Adsorption des acides humiques sur charbon active en poudre. Influence du triphosphate de sodiumAdsorption of humic acids onto powdered activated carbon. The influence of sodium triphosphate

The use of activated carbon beds for the removal of natural humic and fulvic substances found in water supplies, has recently received considerable attention in water treatment operation (Lee et al., 1980; Le Cloirec et al., 1983). Moreover, the use of carbon adsorption for the reduction of haloform precursors (Anderson et al., 1981) and trihalomethanes produced by chlorination process, has contributed to a comprehensive investigation of adsorption characteristics of natural organic compounds (McCreary and Snoeyink, 1981). Many recent works showed the influence of adsorption system characteristics, such as pH, salt type, salt concentration and ionic heterogeneity in multicomponent adsorption systems, on the removal efficiency of humic and fulvic substances by activated carbon (McCreary and Snoeyink, 1980; Randtke and Jepsen, 1982; Weber et al., 1983). The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a main component of domestic detergents, sodium triphosphate (STP), on the adsorptive capacities of powdered activated carbon (PAC) for commercially supplied humic acids, at different pH values in distilled water. Also, the effect of STP concentration and pH on the adsorption affinity of the PAC for humic acids, is discussed in relation with electrokinetic properties of carbon particles (zeta potential measurements).A first batch equilibrium study (Figs 1 and 2), showed an effective enhancement of adsorption capacity for humic acids as a function of STP concentration, in a non buffered media (pH of distilled water, close to 5.0). For example, visible absorption analysis of humic acids indicates an increase of 93% (500 mg l^?1 PAC) and 133% (1000 mg l^?1 PAC) in the carbon adsorption efficiency for a STP concentration from 0.2 to 1.0mM. A second batch equilibrium study (Figs 3 and 4) led to adsorption isotherms for humic acids in distilled water, as a function of STP concentration and initial pH value of the non buffered multicomponent system. Freundlich isotherms showed an increase in the adsorption capacity of the PAC for humic acids, with a decrease in pH and an increase in STP concentration. However, the adsorption capacity for humic acids is quite reduced at high pH values in presence of STP, in comparison with results obtained with distilled water.Electrokinetic measurements on PAC suspensions (Fig. 5) indicates that both humic acids and STP induce a negative variation of the zeta potential of carbon particles. In such a binary system, the zeta potential is a linear function of the pH; the negative surface charge of the carbon increasing with an elevation of pH (Fig. 6). Therefore, it appears that some adsorption of triphosphate polyanion from solution could occur, contributing then to the apparent negative surface charge of PAC particles.It has been previously showed that the type of anion in sodium salts, had little effect on the enhancement of adsorptive capacities of activated carbon for humic substances (Lafrance and Mazet, 1985), due to Na⁺ ions. However, adsorption of TP anions on the carbon surface may produce a source of repulsive charges, unfavourable to the co-adsorption of humic acids as the pH of the binary system reach more basic conditions. The influence of possible electrostatic interactions between adsorbates at the carbon surface, on the adsorption efficiency for humic acids, could then be studied by zeta potential measurements of PAC particles during the adsorption process.     

Biosorption processes in biomembrane systems during water treatment of surface water sources

The characteristics of a system with bioactive powdered activated carbon and microfiltration have been studied under conditions of the aerobic treatment of natural water from the water storages of Guan Ting (China), the Moskva River, and the Yauza River (Russia). The removal of organic matter in the system was estimated in terms of the permanganate oxidizability and UV absorption at λ = 254 nm (UV₂₅₄) and λ = 410 nm (UV₄₁₀). The average removal efficiency amounted to 68.42, 75.61, and 87.50%, respectively, at water temperature 10°C. The water treatment process (at 20°C) began immediately after the start-up of the plant at the expense of the adsorption on activated carbon that guaranteed a high speed of removal of organic pollutants in the absence of mature microflora. By the time the adsorption capacity of carbon was exhausted, the microflora was able to mature ensuring in combination with the powdered activated carbon a high speed of removal. In order to guarantee the biological stability of water, the removal degree of assimilable organic carbon amounted to 60.2% and the purified water met the requirements of the recommended criterion (100 mg acetate-C/dm³).     

预处理对东江原水超滤过程中膜污染的控制作用

以珠江流域东江水作为原水,研究不同预处理(混凝、吸附、氧化)及其组合对水体中有机污染物的去除效果及对超滤膜污染的控制作用。试验结果表明,针对东江原水中天然有机物的去除,聚合氯化铝(PACl)、粉末活性炭(PAC)和高锰酸钾(KMnO4)的最佳投加量分别为20、30、0. 1 mg/L;三种单一预处理方法能够在一定程度上缓解膜通量衰减,而两两组合预处理则能够进一步提高膜运行通量;对于聚偏氟乙烯膜,PACl+PAC组合预处理对膜污染的控制作用最好。对于UV254和蛋白质,PACl和KMn O4对其去除效果优于PAC;对于多糖,三种预处理方法对其去除效果均不佳(<40%),其中PAC略好于PACl和KMn O4。此外,三种单一预处理方法对腐殖酸类荧光物质的去除效果高于蛋白质类荧光物质,而组合预处理能够更加显著地降低这两类荧光物质的响应强度,其中PACl+PAC组合预处理对有机物各荧光组分的去除效果最佳。通过对膜污染物成分的识别分析可知,东江原水中造成超滤膜污染的物质有腐殖酸类、多糖类和蛋白质类物质,而化学不可逆污染物主要为多糖类物质及少量的腐殖酸类物质,化学可逆污染物主要为蛋白质类物质及部分腐殖酸类物质。     

粉末活性炭去除水中氯丁二烯的研究

试验研究了粉末活性炭对氯丁二烯的去除效果以及吸附时间、投加量和水质对粉末活性炭吸附性能的影响。结果表明,粉末活性炭对氯丁二烯的去除率在90%以上,吸附规律符合Langmuir吸附等温线和Freunlich吸附等温线;最佳吸附时间为120min;随着投炭量的增加,氯丁二烯的去除率提高,粉末活性炭的吸附容量降低;在不同水质条件下,粉末活性炭的吸附等温线不同,因此在应急处理中,首先应确定原水水质下的吸附等温线,然后计算出投炭量。     

Synergetic effect between photocatalytic degradation and adsorption processes on the removal of phenolic compounds from olive mill wastewater

The photocatalytic degradation of two phenolic compounds, p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid, was performed with a suspended mixture of TiO₂ and powdered activated carbon (PAC) (at pH = 3.4 and 8). Adsorption, direct photolysis and photocatalytic degradation were studied under different pH and UV light sources (sunlight vs. 365 nm UV lamps). The potential for reusing this catalyst mixture in sequential photocatalytic runs was examined as well. Quantum yields for the direct photolysis of caffeic acid under solar and artificial 365 nm light were calculated (for the first time) as 0.005 and 0.011, respectively.A higher removal rate of contaminants by either adsorption or photocatalysis was obtained at a low pH (pH 4). Furthermore, the addition of PAC increased the removal efficiency of the phenolic compounds. Fast removal of the pollutants from the solution over three sequential runs was achieved only when both TiO₂ and PAC were present. This suggests that at medium phenolic concentrations, the presence of PAC as a co-sorbent reduces surface poisoning of the TiO₂ catalyst and hence improves photocatalysis degradation of phenolic pollutants.The adsorption equilibrium of caffeic acid or p-coumaric acid on TiO₂, PAC and the combined mixture of TiO₂ and PAC follows the Langmuir isotherm model. Experiments with PAC TiO₂ mixture and olive mill wastewater (anaerobically treated and diluted by a factor of 10) showed higher removal of polyphenols than of chemical oxygen demand (COD). 87% removal of total polyphenols, compared to 58% of COD, was achieved after 24 h of exposure to 365 nm irradiation (7.6 W/m²) in the presence of a suspended mixture of TiO₂ and PAC, indicating “self-selectivity” of polyphenols.     

Reverse osmosis concentrate treatment via a PAC-MF accumulative countercurrent adsorption process

Organic pollutants in reverse osmosis (RO) concentrates from wastewater reclamation are mainly comprised of low molecular weight biorefractory compounds. Generally, advanced oxidation methods for oxidizing these organics require a relatively high level of energy consumption. In addition, conventional adsorption removal methods require a large dose of activated carbon. However, the dose can be reduced if its full adsorption capacity can be used. Therefore, the combined technology of powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption and microfiltration (MF) membrane filtration was studied to develop a countercurrent two-stage adsorption process. A PAC accumulative adsorption prediction method was proposed based on the verification of a PAC multi-stage adsorption capacity equation. Moreover, the prediction method was amended for a more accurate prediction of the effluent quality because adsorption isotherm constants were affected by the initial adsorbate concentration. The required PAC dose for the accumulative countercurrent two-stage adsorption system was 0.6 g/L, whereas that of the conventional adsorption process was 1.05 g/L when the dilution factor(F) was 0.1 and the COD and DOC removal rates were set to 70% and 68.1%, respectively. Organic pollutants were satisfactorily removed with less consumption of PAC. Effluent from this combined technology can be further reclaimed by an RO process to improve the overall recovery rate to between 91.0% and 93.8% with both economic and environmental benefits.     

Aerobic degradation of acid orange 7 in a vertical-flow constructed wetland

Biological, aerobic degradation of an azo dye and of the resultant, recalcitrant, aromatic amines in a constructed wetland (CW) was demonstrated for the first time. A vertical-flow CW, planted with Phragmites sp. was fed with 127 mg l⁻¹ of acid orange 7 (AO7) at hydraulic loads of 28, 40, 53 and 108 l m⁻²day⁻¹. Color removal efficiencies of up to 99% clearly demonstrate cleavage of the azo bond, also confirmed by the similar AO7 removal and SO₄²⁻ release rates revealing that adsorption onto the matrix was constant. The positive redox potential at the outlet demonstrates that aerobic conditions were present. Chemical oxygen demand and total organic carbon removal efficiencies of up to 93% were also indicative of AO7 mineralization. The degradation of sulfanilic acid was confirmed by the presence of NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and secondary metabolites, which suggest at least two degradation pathways leading to a common compound, 3-oxoadipate.     

Removal of arsenite and arsenate ions from aqueous solution by basic yttrium carbonate

A new method has been developed to remove arsenite and arsenate ions from aquatic systems by using basic yttrium carbonate (BYC). Various parameters such as pH, anion concentration and reaction time were studied to establish optimum conditions. The removal by adsorption of arsenite and arsenate ions was found to be > 99% depending on initial concentration in the pH range of 9.8–10.5 and 7.5–9.0, respectively. The arsenate was also removed by precipitation at pH lower than 6.5 due to dissolution of BYC. The kinetic study shows that the adsorption follows the first order reaction. The adsorption isotherms of these anions were also studied at different temperatures. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir model of adsorption. The Langmuir constants were calculated at different temperatures and the adsorption capacity for both anions increases with temperature. Anions such as Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NO⁻₃ and SO²⁻₄ have no interference in the removal process. The mechanism of the removal by adsorption was interpreted in terms of the surface charge and ligand orientation of BYC. The method was applied on synthetic wastewaters. Arsenite was oxidized to arsenate by 3% hydrogen peroxide. The yttrium was regenerated as basic yttrium carbonate.     

Residual aluminium in water defluoridated using activated alumina adsorption - Modeling and simulation studies

The removal of fluoride from drinking water by the method of adsorption on activated alumina is found superior than other defluoridation techniques mostly due to the strong affinity between aluminium and fluoride. Dissolution of aluminium from the alumina surfaces into its free and hydroxide ions in the aqueous medium is reported to be very low, but the presence of high fluoride concentrations may increase its solubility due to the formation of monomeric aluminium fluoride and aluminium hydroxyl fluoride complexes. An Activated Alumina Defluoridation Model Simulator (AAD) has been developed to represent fluoride adsorption on the basis of the surface complexation theory incorporating aspects of aluminium solubility in presence of high fluoride concentrations and pH variations. Model validations were carried out for residual aluminium concentrations in alumina treated water, by conducting a series of batch fluoride adsorption experiments using activated alumina (grade FB101) treating fluoride concentrations of 1-10 mg/L, at varying pH conditions. The total residual aluminium in the defluoridated water is due to presence of both dissolved and precipitated Al-F complexed forms. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm was found fit for fluoride adsorption capacity versus residual fluoride concentrations for pH = 7.5, and the relationship is given by the linearised equation log (x/m) = log k + (1/n) log C_e with values of k = 0.15 mg/g and 1/n = 0.45 indicating favorable adsorption. The relationship is linear in the region of low fluoride concentrations, but as concentrations of fluoride increased, the formation of the dissolved AlF₃⁰ complexes was favored than adsorption on alumina, and hence makes the isotherm nonlinear. The AAD simulations can predict for operating fluoride uptake capacity in order to keep the residual aluminium within permissible limits in the alumina treated water.     

Absorption of the selenite anion from aqueous solutions by thermally activated layered double hydroxide

The presence of selenite or selenate in potable water is a health hazard especially when consumed over a long period of time. Its removal from potable water is of importance. This paper reports technology for the removal of selenite from water through the use of thermally activated layered double hydroxides.Mg/Al hydrotalcites with selenite in the interlayer were prepared at different times from 0.5 to 20 h through ion exchange. X-ray diffraction of the MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcites indicates that the selenite anion entered the interlayer spacing of Mg/Al hydrotalcite and MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcite was formed. Raman spectra proved the presence of selenite anion in the hydrotalcite interlayer as the counter anion. The band intensity and width of MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcite in the region of 3800-3000 cm⁻¹ increase with the adsorption of selenite by the Mg/Al hydrotalcite. The characteristic bands of free selenite anions in the MgAlSeO₃ hydrotalcites are located between the region between 850 and 800 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectra of the lower wave number region of 550-500 cm⁻¹ show a shift toward higher wave numbers with adsorption of the selenite. An estimation of the amount of selenite anion removed by the thermally activated layered double hydroxide was obtained through the measurement of the intensity of the selenite Raman bands at 814 and 835 cm⁻¹ resulting from the amount of selenite anion remaining in solution. Thermally activated LDHs provide a mechanism for removing selenite anions from aqueous solutions.     

Effectiveness of different oxidizing agents for removing sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate in aqueous systems

The present study investigates the efficacy of various oxidizing treatments (ClO⁻, ClO₂, KMnO₄, O₃, O₃/H₂O₂, O₃/activated carbon) to remove from waters sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (SDBS), considered as model surfactant. Results obtained show that the use of ClO⁻ and ClO₂ does not cause appreciable SDBS degradation. Additionally, in the case of ClO⁻, trihalomethanes are generated, increasing system toxicity. Because the reaction kinetics between SDBS and KMnO₄ is very slow, a decrease in contaminant concentration is not observed, even at very acid pH values. SDBS reactivity with ozone is very low, with a kinetic constant (kO3) of 3.68 M⁻¹ s⁻¹, but its reactivity with HO radicals is very high (k_OH = 1.16 × 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), therefore O₃/H₂O₂ and O₃/activated carbon, which can also generate HO, appear as promising advanced oxidation processes to remove this contaminant from waters. The method based on ozone and activated carbon was the only process studied that produced both an increase in SDBS removal rate (due to the generation of HO radicals in the O₃-PAC or O₃-GAC interaction) and a considerable reduction in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon in the system due to the PAC adsorbent properties.     

饮用水中粉末活性炭应急处理技术研究

以遭受突发性2,4滴污染的水体作为研究对象,考察了粉末活性炭技术对受2,4滴污染原水的应急处理效果.结果显示,粉末活性炭可有效去除2,4滴污染物,吸附时间越长,去除率越高.与准一级动力学方程相比,准二级动力学方程拟合曲线能更好地与数据点重合,相关系数为0.99,由准二级动力学方程计算得出的吸附容量值与试验中实际得到的吸附容量值很接近.粉末活性炭吸附2,4滴的Freundlich模型拟合度优于Langmuir模型,且对2,4滴的吸附存在多分子层吸附.     

粉末活性炭吸附水中四氯化碳试验研究

采用粉末活性炭吸附去除水中四氯化碳,考察了活性炭投加量、吸附时间、温度等因素对去除效果的影响.结果表明,该吸附过程符合Freundlich吸附等温线模式,以物理吸附为主,并且在纯水中的吸附容量大于原水;在15-25℃內,温度对吸附效果的影响不大,但去除率随吸附时间的延长而升高;投加80 mg/L粉末活性炭吸附120 m...     

Removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water via ozone and activated carbon

Ozonation and adsorption onto activated carbon were tested for the removal micropollutants of personal care products from aerobically treated grey water. MilliQ water spiked with micropollutants (100-1600 μgL⁻¹) was ozonated at a dosing rate of 1.22. In 45 min, this effectively removed (>99%): Four parabens, bisphenol-A, hexylcinnamic aldehyde, 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4MBC), benzophenone-3 (BP3), triclosan, galaxolide and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. After 60 min, the removal efficiency of benzalkonium chloride was 98%, tonalide and nonylphenol 95%, octocrylene 92% and 2-phenyl-5-benzimidazolesulfonic acid (PBSA) 84%. Ozonation of aerobically treated grey water at an applied ozone dose of 15 mgL⁻¹, reduced the concentrations of octocrylene, nonylphenol, triclosan, galaxolide, tonalide and 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor to below limits of quantification, with removal efficiencies of at least 79%. Complete adsorption of all studied micropollutants onto powdered activated carbon (PAC) was observed in batch tests with milliQ water spiked with 100-1600 μgL⁻¹ at a PAC dose of 1.25 gL⁻¹ and a contact time of 5 min. Three granular activated carbon (GAC) column experiments were operated to treat aerobically treated grey water. The operation of a GAC column with aerobically treated grey water spiked with micropollutants in the range of 0.1-10 μgL⁻¹ at a flow of 0.5 bed volumes (BV)h⁻¹ showed micropollutant removal efficiencies higher than 72%. During the operation time of 1728 BV, no breakthrough of TOC or micropollutants was observed. Removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water was tested in a GAC column at a flow of 2 BVh⁻¹. Bisphenol-A, triclosan, tonalide, BP3, galaxolide, nonylphenol and PBSA were effectively removed even after a stable TOC breakthrough of 65% had been reached. After spiking the aerobically treated effluent with micropollutants to concentrations of 10-100 μgL⁻¹, efficient removal to below limits of quantification continued for at least 1440 BV. Both ozonation and adsorption are suitable techniques for the removal of micropollutants from aerobically treated grey water.     

The effect of temperature on the removal of non-ionic surfactants during small-scale activated-sludge sewage treatment—I. Comparison of alcohol ethoxylates with a branched-chain alkyl phenol ethoxylate

The degree of biodegradability of three non-ionic surfactants has been assessed using small-scale activated-sludge sewage treatment plants. The effect of temperature on biodegradability was studied by operation at 15°, 11° and 8°C.The two alcohol ethoxylate surfactants tested were well degraded at all three operating temperatures. The alkyl phenol ethoxylate surfactant tested was well degraded at 15°C but at lower temperatures the biodegradability was dependent on concentration. At 5 mg 1⁻¹, greater than 90 per cent removal was achieved but at 20 mg 1⁻¹ the degree of removal fluctuated between 40 and 95 per cent at 11°C and between 20 and 80 per cent at 8°C.The present results have been compared with those obtained using the same surfactants in community trials at a small sewage works employing biological filtration. Although a similar temperature effect was observed with the alkyl phenol ethoxylate, the biodegradabilities obtained in the laboratory were consistently greater than those obtained at the sewage works, perhaps because of the constant conditions of the laboratory test.     

粉末活性炭去除水中石油类污染物的试验研究

以0#柴油为研究对象,考察了粉末活性炭对水中石油类污染物的吸附性能.结果表明,采用粉末活性炭可有效去除水中的石油类污染物,当柴油初始质量浓度为3 mg/L,吸附时间为30 min,投炭量为20 mg/L时,纯水及原水条件下柴油的去除率均大于70％,且在最大投炭量(80 mg/L)条件下,粉末活性炭可以应对在纯水和原水条...     

Adsorption des acides humiques sur charbon active en poudre. Influence du triphosphate de sodium

The use of activated carbon beds for the removal of natural humic and fulvic substances found in water supplies, has recently received considerable attention in water treatment operation (Lee et al., 1980; Le Cloirec et al., 1983). Moreover, the use of carbon adsorption for the reduction of haloform precursors (Anderson et al., 1981) and trihalomethanes produced by chlorination process, has contributed to a comprehensive investigation of adsorption characteristics of natural organic compounds (McCreary and Snoeyink, 1981). Many recent works showed the influence of adsorption system characteristics, such as pH, salt type, salt concentration and ionic heterogeneity in multicomponent adsorption systems, on the removal efficiency of humic and fulvic substances by activated carbon (McCreary and Snoeyink, 1980; Randtke and Jepsen, 1982; Weber et al., 1983). The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a main component of domestic detergents, sodium triphosphate (STP), on the adsorptive capacities of powdered activated carbon (PAC) for commercially supplied humic acids, at different pH values in distilled water. Also, the effect of STP concentration and pH on the adsorption affinity of the PAC for humic acids, is discussed in relation with electrokinetic properties of carbon particles (zeta potential measurements).A first batch equilibrium study (Figs 1 and 2), showed an effective enhancement of adsorption capacity for humic acids as a function of STP concentration, in a non buffered media (pH of distilled water, close to 5.0). For example, visible absorption analysis of humic acids indicates an increase of 93% (500 mg l⁻¹ PAC) and 133% (1000 mg l⁻¹ PAC) in the carbon adsorption efficiency for a STP concentration from 0.2 to 1.0mM. A second batch equilibrium study (Figs 3 and 4) led to adsorption isotherms for humic acids in distilled water, as a function of STP concentration and initial pH value of the non buffered multicomponent system. Freundlich isotherms showed an increase in the adsorption capacity of the PAC for humic acids, with a decrease in pH and an increase in STP concentration. However, the adsorption capacity for humic acids is quite reduced at high pH values in presence of STP, in comparison with results obtained with distilled water.Electrokinetic measurements on PAC suspensions (Fig. 5) indicates that both humic acids and STP induce a negative variation of the zeta potential of carbon particles. In such a binary system, the zeta potential is a linear function of the pH; the negative surface charge of the carbon increasing with an elevation of pH (Fig. 6). Therefore, it appears that some adsorption of triphosphate polyanion from solution could occur, contributing then to the apparent negative surface charge of PAC particles.It has been previously showed that the type of anion in sodium salts, had little effect on the enhancement of adsorptive capacities of activated carbon for humic substances (Lafrance and Mazet, 1985), due to Na⁺ ions. However, adsorption of TP anions on the carbon surface may produce a source of repulsive charges, unfavourable to the co-adsorption of humic acids as the pH of the binary system reach more basic conditions. The influence of possible electrostatic interactions between adsorbates at the carbon surface, on the adsorption efficiency for humic acids, could then be studied by zeta potential measurements of PAC particles during the adsorption process.     

Removal of co-present chromate and arsenate by zero-valent iron in groundwater with humic acid and bicarbonate

The interactions of co-present Cr(VI) and As(V), and the influences of humic acid and bicarbonate in the process of Cr(VI) and As(V) removal by Fe⁰ were investigated in a batch setting using simulated groundwater with 5 mM NaCl, 1 mM Na₂SO₄, and 0.8 mM CaCl₂ as background electrolytes at an initial pH value of 7. Cr(VI) and As(V) were observed to be subject to different impacts induced by co-existing As(V) or Cr(VI), humic acid and bicarbonate, originating from their distinct removal mechanisms by Fe⁰. Cr(VI) removal is a reduction-dominated process, whereas As(V) removal principally involves adsorption onto iron corrosion products. Experimental results showed that Cr(VI) removal was not affected by the presence of As(V) and humic acid. However, As(V) removal appeared to be inhibited by co-present Cr(VI). When the Cr(VI) concentration was 2, 5, and 10 mg/L, in the absence of humic acid and bicarbonate, As(V) removal rate constants were decreased by 27.9%, 49.0%, and 61.2%, respectively, which probably resulted from competition between Cr(VI) and As(V) for adsorption sites of the iron corrosion products. Furthermore, the presence of humic acid significantly varied As(V) removal kinetics by delaying the formation and aggregation of iron hydroxides due to the formation of soluble Fe-humate complexes and stably dispersed fine iron hydroxides colloids. In the presence of bicarbonate, both Cr(VI) and As(V) removal was increased and the inhibitory effect of Cr(VI) on As(V) removal was suppressed, resulting from the buffering effects and the promoted iron corrosion induced by bicarbonate, and the formation of CaCO₃ in solution, which enhanced As(V) adsorption.     

Characteristics of competitive adsorption between 2-methylisoborneol and natural organic matter on superfine and conventionally sized powdered activated carbons

When treating water with activated carbon, natural organic matter (NOM) is not only a target for adsorptive removal but also an inhibitory substance that reduces the removal efficiency of trace compounds, such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), through adsorption competition. Recently, superfine (submicron-sized) activated carbon (SPAC) was developed by wet-milling commercially available powdered activated carbon (PAC) to a smaller particle size. It was reported that SPAC has a larger NOM adsorption capacity than PAC because NOM mainly adsorbs close to the external adsorbent particle surface (shell adsorption mechanism). Thus, SPAC with its larger specific external surface area can adsorb more NOM than PAC. The effect of higher NOM uptake on the adsorptive removal of MIB has, however, not been investigated. Results of this study show that adsorption competition between NOM and MIB did not increase when NOM uptake increased due to carbon size reduction; i.e., the increased NOM uptake by SPAC did not result in a decrease in MIB adsorption capacity beyond that obtained as a result of NOM adsorption by PAC. A simple estimation method for determining the adsorbed amount of competing NOM (NOM that reduces MIB adsorption) is presented based on the simplified equivalent background compound (EBC) method. Furthermore, the mechanism of adsorption competition is discussed based on results obtained with the simplified EBC method and the shell adsorption mechanism. Competing NOM, which likely comprises a small portion of NOM, adsorbs in internal pores of activated carbon particles as MIB does, thereby reducing the MIB adsorption capacity to a similar extent regardless of adsorbent particle size. SPAC application can be advantageous because enhanced NOM removal does not translate into less effective removal of MIB. Molecular size distribution data of NOM suggest that the competing NOM has a molecular weight similar to that of the target compound.     

Equilibrium and intra-particle diffusion of stabilized landfill leachate onto micro- and meso-porous activated carbon

Stabilized landfill leachate has previously been treated with activated carbon (AC); however, information on the selectivity of AC depending upon the pore size is minimal. Isotherm and kinetic experiments were conducted using three commercially available AC products, one micro-porous and two meso-porous. Equilibrium adsorption and intra-particle diffusion of organic matter from stabilized leachate was studied. Isotherm experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models in non-linear forms. Of the three isotherm models, the Redlich-Peterson model provided the best fit to the experimental data and showed a similar organic matter adsorption capacity (approximately 0.2 g total organic carbon (TOC) g⁻¹ AC) for both micro-porous and meso-porous AC. The organic matter effective intra-particle diffusion coefficients (D_e) in both AC types were on the order of 10⁻¹⁰ m² s⁻¹ for AC particle sizes greater than 0.5 mm. Meso-porous ACs showed slightly higher D_e compared to micro-porous AC. Rapid small-scale tests showed a maximum of 80% TOC removal from leachate by each AC investigated. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed a preferential adsorption of fulvic-type organic matter with an increase in empty bed contact time by each AC.