AWWA WQTC55096

The goal of this study was to determine the major factors that influence the competition between NOM and taste and odor (T&O) compounds for adsorption sites on PAC, with the ultimate aim of optimizing the application of PAC for T&O removal. This was not planned as a theoretical modeling of competitive adsorption. Instead the objective was to increase the understanding of the factors that affect the adsorption of an important T&O compound, under experimental conditions that resemble those found in a water treatment plant. NOM from three different surface waters, was compared. The NOM present was isolated using similar procedures, resulting in samples fractionated via chemical speciation. The use of isolation and fractionation allowed the same characterized NOM samples to be used in a series of competitive adsorption experiments and the results compared. Two carbons with different pore volume distributions and surface chemistries were used so that the affects of these parameters could be investigated. The effects of the NOM fractions on the equilibrium capacity of each carbon were examined and the hydrophobic fraction, or the humic material, showed the strongest competition. Some simple correlations between the competitive effects of the various NOM fractions and their average chemical characteristics as determined by 13C-NMR, HPSEC and UV absorbance could be seen. However, these did not appear to be consistent with the level of competition provided by chemically different fractions nor with earlier work. Includes 23 references, tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

01/01/2001

Number of Pages:

14

File Size:

1 file , 1.3 MB