Effect of advanced oxidation on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation and microbial ecology during pilot-scale biological activated carbon filtration

In the frame of the European FP6 project Neptune, a combination of biological activated carbon with ultrafiltration (BioMAC) was investigated for micropollutant, pathogen and ecotoxicity removal. One pilot scale set-up and two lab-scale set-ups, of which in one set-up the granular activated carbon (GAC) was replaced by sand, were followed up during a period of 11 months. It was found that a combination of GAC and ultrafiltration led to an almost complete removal of antibiotics and a high removal (>80%) of most of the investigated acidic pharmaceuticals and iodinated contrast media. The duration of the tests did however not allow to conclude that the biological activation was able to extend the lifetime of the GAC. Furthermore, a significant decrease in estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity could be illustrated. The set-up in which GAC was replaced by sand showed a considerably lower removal efficiency for micropollutants, especially for antibiotics but no influence on steroid activity.

Download Full-text

Predicting Atrazine Removal by Ozone-Induced Biological Activated Carbon Filtration

Pesticide Removal by Combined Ozonation and Granular Activated Carbon Filtration ◽

10.1201/9780203743744-7 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 139-156

Author(s):

Ervin Orlandini

Keyword(s):

Activated Carbon ◽

Biological Activated Carbon ◽

Carbon Filtration

Download Full-text

Removal of algal taste and odour compounds by granular and biological activated carbon in full-scale water treatment plants

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2018.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 1531-1544 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Aisha Faruqi ◽

Milann Henderson ◽

Rita K. Henderson ◽

Richard Stuetz ◽

Brendan Gladman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Activated Carbon ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Full Scale ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Removal Rates ◽

Biological Activated Carbon ◽

Treatment Processes ◽

Water Treatment Plants ◽

Service Life Modelling

Abstract The occurrence and severity of cyanobacterial and algal blooms in water supplies has been increasing due to the effects of eutrophication and climate change, resulting in more frequent taste and odour (T&O) events. Conventional treatment processes have been found to be inefficient in removing the two most commonly detected algal T&O compounds, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), though granular activated carbon (GAC) and biological activated carbon (BAC) contactors have achieved high T&O removal rates. Literature on the performance of GAC and BAC for T&O removal in full-scale treatment plants, however, is limited. This review collates and assesses pilot-scale and full-scale studies which focus on removal of geosmin and MIB, with the aim of understanding the factors which influence T&O removal and determining knowledge gaps in the use of GAC and BAC. Age and empty bed contact time (EBCT) were found to have a significant impact on GAC performance, with removal efficiency decreasing with increased age and increasing with longer EBCTs. BAC contactors have achieved higher removal rates than non-biologically active GAC contactors and were not impacted by age, EBCT and/or carbon type. From these observations, implementation of BAC for T&O removal would be favourable; however, further investigations are required to understand full-scale performance of BAC and service life modelling.

Download Full-text