Importance of the order in enhancing EfOM removal by combination of BAC and MIEX(?)

Biological activated carbon (BAC) is operationally a simple treatment which can be employed to remove effluent organic matter (EfOM) from secondary wastewater effluent (SWWE). Unfortunately, BAC removes only a limited amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Thus, maximizing DOC removal from SWWE using BAC is a major concern in wastewater reuse. This study has investigated a hybrid system of BAC and Magnetic Ion Exchange Resin (MIEX(?)) for the enhanced removal of DOC. Performance of both BAC prior to MIEX(?) (BAC/MIEX(?)) and reverse (MIEX(?)/BAC) combination was evaluated in terms of DOC removal. The BAC/MIEX(?) showed much better DOC removal. This is because microbial activity in the BAC bed converted MIEX(?) non-amenable DOC to MIEX(?) amenable DOC. As a result, BAC/MIEX(?) combination synergised DOC removal. In addition, BAC was also found to be highly effective in reducing MIEX(?) dose for a given DOC removal from SWWE.     

组合工艺控制有机物及消毒副产物前体物的特性研究

通过XAD-8树脂将水中有机物分成疏水性、亲水性两部分,对传统常规处理工艺(混凝气浮、过滤)和深度处理工艺(臭氧氧化、生物活性炭)出水的DOC,UV254THMFP,HAAFP指标以及疏水、亲水有机物去除率进行了检测分析。结果表明,生物活性炭(BAC)单元工艺能同时去除疏水性和亲水性两种有机物,且两者去除率均为最高。其次去除效果较好的是传统的常规工艺。臭氧工艺具有将天然的疏水性有机物氧化成可生化降解的亲水性小分子有机物的特点,在预臭氧+常规以及O3-BAC组合工艺中,起到了强化去除有机物和消毒副产物前体物的效果。     

Disinfection by-products and microbial contamination in the treatment of pool water with granular activated carbon.

For swimming pools, it is generally agreed that free chlorine levels have to be maintained to guarantee adequate disinfection. Recommended free chlorine levels can vary between 0.3 and 0.6 mg/L in Germany and up to 3 mg/L in other countries. Bathers introduce considerable amounts of organic matter, mainly in the form of such as urine and sweat, into the pool water. As a consequence, disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are formed. Regulations in Germany recommend levels of combined chlorine of less than 0.2 mg/L and levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) of less than 20 microg/L. Haloacetic acids (HAAs), haloacetonitriles (HANs), chloropicrin and chloral hydrate are also detected in considerable amounts. However, these compounds are not regulated yet. Swimming pool staff and swimmers, especially athletes, are primarily exposed to these byproducts by inhalation and/or dermal uptake. In Germany, new regulations for swimming pool water treatment generally require the use of activated carbon. In this project, three different types of granular activated carbon (GAC) (one standard GAC, two catalytic GACs) are compared for their long time behaviour in pool water treatment. In a pilot plant operated with real swimming pool water, production and removal of disinfection byproducts (THMs, HAAs, AOXs), of biodegradable substances (AOC), of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella, coliforms, HPC) as well as the removal of chlorine and chloramines are monitored as function of GAC bed depth. Combined chlorine penetrates deeper in the filter bed than free chlorine does. However, both, free and combined chlorine removal efficiencies decrease over the time of filter operation. The decreases of removal efficiencies are also observed for parameters such as dissolved organic carbon, spectral absorption coefficient, adsorbable organic carbon and most of the disinfection byproducts. However, THMs, especially chloroform are produced in the filter bed. The GAC beds were contaminated microbially, especially with P. aeruginosa. The contamination was not removable by backwashing with chlorine concentrations up to 2 mg/l free chlorine.     

Efficiency of membrane processes for taste and odor removal.

The occurrence of tastes and odors (T&O) in drinking water is considered as one of the main problems by the drinking water companies. Thus, several treatment processes were developed over the years to control T&O including air stripping, activated carbon and oxidation using ozone. However, little information is available in the literature on the use of membranes for T&O removal. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to present potential of membrane processes for removal of taste and odor causing compounds. Several membranes were tested including ultrafiltration (UF), UF combined with powdered activated carbon (PAC), nanofiltration (NF) and low pressure reverse osmosis (LP RO) membranes. The results of this study indicate that the combination of UF with PAC is effective for T&O control whereas the benefit of NF and LP RO remains unclear for T&O control.     

Application of biological activated carbon anaerobic reactor for treatment of hazardous chemicals.

An expanded-bed anaerobic reactor with granular activated carbon (GAC) medium has been developed to treat wastewaters that contain a high concentration of inhibitory and/or refractory organic compounds as well as readily degradable organic compounds. The process is characterised by a combination of two removal mechanisms; adsorption on GAC and biological degradation by microorganisms grown on GAC. Applicability of the reactor to treatment of phenol, chloroacetaldehyde (CAA), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was discussed based on experimental data. All chemicals focused on here were removed well and stably at a removal efficiency of more than 98% even during starting operation and shock load operation. Chemicals in influent that exceeded biological degradation capacity was initially adsorbed on GAC and then gradually degraded, and hence the adsorptive capacity of GAC was regenerated biologically. These results proved that a biological activated carbon anaerobic reactor was effective for treatment of wastewater containing hazardous chemicals, especially for strongly absorbable chemicals, as well as readily degradable organic compounds at high concentration.     

Particle separation as a pretreatment of an advanced drinking water treatment process by ozonation and biological activated carbon

The role of particle separation on the performance of ozone-biological activated carbon (BAC) was evaluated based on the analyses of the fate of organic substances in the process. Pilot plant studies were carried out using eutrophic lake water as raw water. The ozonation not only converted refractory organic matter into biodegradable matter but also particulate organic carbon (POC) into dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Total decrease in adsorbable and non biodegradable DOC fraction (ADOC) after ozonation was only 1690 of the influent into the biofiltration process followed by ozonation. However, the ozone-BAC process before membrane separation could reduce organic loading to membrane system. The smaller loading to microfiltration will result in long intervals of back washing and less frequent membrane fouling. Membrane separation before ozonation removed not only POC but also a part of DOC and could prevent dissolution of POC during ozonation. The decreases in ADOC by membrane and ozonation were 20% and 37% of the influent ADOC, respectively. The total decrease in ADOC for membrane process followed by ozonation was 57%. The separation of particulate matter will decrease loading of ADOC onto BAC significantly and, therefore, will extend service life of BAC.     

The occurrence of micopollutants in the aquatic environment: a new challenge for water management.

The occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment has become a crucial topic in the last two decades owing to the innovative development of analytical instrumentation such as LC tandem MS. Using these new techniques it became obvious that pesticides, pharmaceuticals, ingredients of personal care products, biocides, flame retardants, and perfluorinated compounds are entering rivers and streams via treated wastewater. Also contamination of bank filtrates, groundwater and in a few cases even drinking water was identified. Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove polar persistent organic pollutants occurring in the sub-mg/L range and hence many of these organic pollutants are passing WWTPs to a high extent. Waterworks with a potential pesticide contamination in their raw water are equipped with advanced techniques such ozonation, activated carbon or nanofiltration enabling the removal of a high variety of other organic compounds. However, waterworks without an expected pesticide contamination are frequently equipped with common treatment processes not enabling the removal of these kinds of organic pollutants. Therefore, comprehensive management activities for protection of aquatic environments and water resources must consider the removal of all micropollutants relevant to water quality and ecology, independent of their usage or origin.     

Removal of bromate and assimilable organic carbon from drinking water using granular activated carbon.

This study investigated the feasibility of using granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove bromate ion (BrO3-) and assimilable organic carbon (AOC) from drinking water through a rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) method and a pilot-scale study. Results from RSSCT indicated that the GAC capacity for BrO3- removal was dependent on the GAC type, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and source water quality. The GAC with a high number of basic groups and higher pHpzc values showed an increased BrO3- removal capacity. BrO3- removal was improved by increasing EBCT. The high EBCT provides a greater opportunity for BrO3- to be adsorbed and reduced to Br- on the GAC surface. On the other hand, the presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and anions, such as chloride, bromide, and sulfate, resulted in poor BrO3- reduction. In the GAC pilot plant, a GAC column preloaded for 12 months achieved a BrO3- and AOC removal range from 79-96% and 41-75%, respectively. The BrO3- amount removed was found to be proportional to the influent BrO3- concentration. However, the BrO3- removal rate apparently decreased with increasing operation time. In contrast, the AOC apparently increased during the long-term operation period. This may be a result of the contribution due to new GAC being gradually transformed into biological activated carbon (BAC), and the bacterial biomass adsorbed on GAC surface hindering BrO3- reduction by GAC either by blocking pores or adsorbing at the activated sites for BrO3- reduction.     

加压富氧生物活性炭在碱减量印染废水深度处理中的应用研究

加压富氧生物活性炭法(PRBAC)是在生物活性炭法(BAC)的基础上发展的一种新方法。它通过在生物活性炭柱中增加压力,提高溶解氧浓度以强化生物作用来提高污染物的去除率。试验证明,对碱减量印染废水二级生化处理出水进行深度处理,加压富氧生物炭能保持对水中多种污染物的高去除率,且出水中COD,BOD,NH_3-N,SS,色度,浊度等指标均达到生活杂用水水质标准,其中NH_3-N的去除率可达97％以上。     

Natural Organic Matter and Disinfection By-products Formation Potential in Water Treatment

The performance of a conventional sequence (pre-ozonation, coagulation/ flocculation/ sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) and two non-conventional sequences (pre-ozonation, nanofiltration; and pre-ozonation, coagulation/ flocculation/ sedimentation, nanofiltration) on the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) and disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation potential was evaluated. Raw and treated waters were characterized in terms of molecular weight, which includes the amount of NOM removed and the qualitative changes in the NOM characteristics (molecular weight and hydrophobicity) since they could be directly related with the DBPs formation. The results demonstrate that, for the type of raw water analysed (hydrophilic with low dissolved organic carbon content, 0.99 L/(mg.m) and 1.31 mg DOC/L), both treatment sequences remove larger molecular weight compounds (>1,900 g/mol). Treated waters have the dominant fractions in the smaller molecular size fractions (<750 g/mol). However, the sequences with nanofiltration have a higher percentage of low molecular weight compounds removed (between 430 and 250 g/mol), when compared with conventional sequence, thus the water from nanofiltration sequences will have lower DBPs formation potential. The removal of the smallest molecular size fractions can be enhanced by optimising the water treatment process and the quality of water will improve relating with DBPs formation.     

Removal of dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon from stormwater by biofiltration mesocosms.

Biofiltration systems are becoming a popular stormwater treatment device in water sensitive urban design for the removal of fine particulate and dissolved pollutants from stormwater. However, there is limited published data on the effectiveness of these systems for nutrient removal. We constructed biofiltration mesocosms to assess nutrient removal (nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon) under experimental conditions. Different types of media were compared (gravel, sand, and sandy-loam) in vegetated and non-vegetated mesocosms (six treatments in total). Five plant species were used. Vegetated sand and vegetated sandy-loam provided the best overall treatment. Vegetated mesocosms were very effective in removing nitrogen (63-77% removal) and phosphorus (85-94% removal) from synthetic stormwater, and removed substantially more nutrients than the non-vegetated treatments. All treatments removed a substantial portion of the carbon from the stormwater (28-66%). When flushed with tap water, nitrogen and phosphorus were retained by the vegetated mesocosms, but leached from the non-vegetated mesocosms. Plant growth was most vigorous in the sandy-loam media, indicating that this is a good growth media, even without the addition of organic matter.     

Control of disinfection byproduct formation in Feng-Shan reservoir by the traditional treatment processes plus O3-pilot-plant test.

Two processes in the pilot plant were studied and compared to reduce the disinfection byproduct risk of the potable finished water of Feng-shan treatment utility in Taiwan. For 5 months study, two processes have both demonstrated to achieve a significant removal on the organic precursors of DBPs, including NPDOC and A-254. With the analysis of molecular weight distribution of organics in raw water, the study found the post ozonation plus BAC can provide additional enhancement in degrading organic contents. A process of coagulation/sedimentation/rapid sand filtration/post ozonation/BAC would be suggested as the advanced treatment process improving the supply quality of Feng-shan utility.     

Removal of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol by biological filtration.

The quality of drinking water is sometimes diminished by the presence of certain compounds that can impart particular tastes or odours. One of the most common and problematic types of taste and odour is the earthy/musty odour produced by geosmin (trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol) and MIB (2-methylisoborneol). Taste and odour treatment processes including powdered activated carbon, and oxidation using chlorine, chloramines, potassium permanganate, and sometimes even ozone are largely ineffective for reducing these compounds to below their odour threshold concentration levels. Ozonation followed by biological filtration, however, has the potential to provide effective treatment. Ozone provides partial removal of geosmin and MIB but also creates other compounds more amenable to biodegradation and potentially undesirable biological instability. Subsequent biofiltration can remove residual geosmin and MIB in addition to removing these other biodegradable compounds. Bench scale experiments were conducted using two parallel filter columns containing fresh and exhausted granular activated carbon (GAC) media and sand. Source water consisted of dechlorinated tap water to which geosmin and MIB were added, as well as, a cocktail of easily biodegradable organic matter (i.e. typical ozonation by-products) in order to simulate water that had been subjected to ozonation prior to filtration. Using fresh GAC, total removals of geosmin ranged from 76 to 100% and total MIB removals ranged from 47% to 100%. The exhausted GAC initially removed less geosmin and MIB but removals increased over time. Overall the results of these experiments are encouraging for the use of biofiltration following ozonation as a means of geosmin and MIB removal. These results provide important information with respect to the role biofilters play during their startup phase in the reduction of these particular compounds. In addition, the results demonstrate the potential biofilters have in responding to transient geosmin and MIB episodes.     

A critical evaluation of combined engineered and aquifer treatment systems in water recycling.

Australian experience at five research sites where stormwater and reclaimed water have been stored in aquifers prior to reuse, have yielded valuable information about water treatment processes in anaerobic and aerobic aquifers. One of these sites is the stormwater to potable water ASTR project at the City of Salisbury, a demonstration project within the broader EC project 'RECLAIM WATER'. A framework for characterising the effectiveness of such treatment for selected organic chemicals, natural organic matter, and pathogens is being developed for inclusion in new Australian Guidelines for Management of Aquifer Recharge. The combination of pre-treatments (including passive systems such as reed beds) and aquifer treatment effectiveness in relation to source waters and intended uses of recovered water will be described. Advantages and disadvantages of various types of pre-treatments in relation to effectiveness and sustainability of managed aquifer recharge will be discussed taking account of aquifer characteristics. These observations will be consolidated into a draft set of principles to assist in selection of engineered treatments compatible with passive treatment in aquifers.     

RO brine treatment and recovery by biological activated carbon and capacitive deionization process

The generation of brine solutions from dense membrane (reverse osmosis, RO or nanofiltration, NF) water reclamation systems has been increasing worldwide, and the lack of cost effective disposal options is becoming a critical water resources management issue. In Singapore, NEWater is the product of a multiple barrier water reclamation process from secondary treated domestic effluent using MF/UF-RO and UV technologies. The RO brine (concentrates) accounts for more than 20% of the total flow treated. To increase the water recovery and treat the RO brine, a CDI based process with BAC as pretreatment was tested. The results show that ion concentrations in CDI product were low except SiO2 when compared with RO feed water. CDI product was passed through a RO and the RO permeate was of better quality including low SiO2 as compared to NEWater quality. It could be beneficial to use a dedicated RO operated at optimum conditions with better performance to recover the water. BAC was able to achieve 15-27% TOC removal of RO brine. CDI had been tested at a water recovery ranging from 71.6 to 92.3%. CDI based RO brine treatment could improve overall water recovery of NEWater production over 90%. It was found that calcium phosphate scaling and organic fouling was the major cause of CDI pressure increase. Ozone disinfection and sodium bisulfite dosing were able to reduce CDI fouling rate. For sustainable operation of CDI organic fouling control and effective organic fouling cleaning should be further studied.     

Removal mechanisms of endocrine disrupting compounds (steroids) during soil aquifer treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine the primary removal mechanisms of endocrine disruptors such as steroidal hormones present in reclaimed water, specifically 17beta-estradiol, estriol, and testosterone, during groundwater recharge via soil aquifer treatment (SAT). Steroidal hormones were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Bench-scale studies and laboratory-scale soil column experiments were employed to determine what mechanisms (i.e., adsorption, biodegradation, photolytic degradation) dominate the removal of the three compounds of interest during SAT. Findings of these studies revealed that the dominating removal mechanism for the compounds of interest during SAT is adsorption to the porous media matrix and additional attenuation to below the detection limit occurred in the presence of bioactivity. This additional removal occurred regardless of dominating redox conditions (aerobic vs. anoxic) or the type of organic carbon matrix present (hydrophobic acids, hydrophilic carbon vs. colloidal carbon).     

臭氧与活性炭深度处理微污染原水试验研究

采用"预臭氧氧化 常规处理 GAC/O3-BAC深度处理"工艺针对南方某市微污染原水进行中试研究.结果表明:预臭氧能明显提高浊度、有机物和THMFP的去除效果,在此条件下常规出水浊度平均值＜O.1 NTU,与无预处理相比,CODMn去除率提高17.52%,氯消毒后CHCl3浓度降低86.4%;O3-BAC工艺对有机物、CHCl3的去除效果和吸附寿命均优于GAC工艺,但生物膜的脱落会影响浊度的去除效果;随着炭床厚度增加,GAC滤池中,CODMn呈线性降低,而BAC滤池中,上部500～1 000 mm厚度内,CODMn快速降低并稳定在一定的水平上.     

Efficient taste and odour removal by water treatment plants around the Han River water supply system.

Seven major water treatment plants in Seoul Metropolitan Area, which are under Korea Water Resources Corporation (KOWACO)'s management, take water from the Paldang Reservoir in the Han River System for drinking water supply. There are taste and odour (T&O) problems in the finished water because the conventional treatment processes do not efficiently remove the T&O compounds. This study evaluated T&O removal by ozonation, granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment, powder activated carbon (PAC) and an advanced oxidation process in a pilot-scale treatment plant and bench-scale laboratory experiments. During T&O episodes, PAC alone was not adequate, but as a pretreatment together with GAC it could be a useful option. The optimal range of ozone dose was 1 to 2 mg/L at a contact time of 10 min. However, with ozone alone it was difficult to meet the T&O target of 3 TON and 15 ng/L of MIB or geosmin. The GAC adsorption capacity for DOC in the three GAC systems (F/A, GAC and O3 + GAC) at an EBCT of 14 min is mostly exhausted after 9 months. However, substantial TON removal continued for more than 2 years (>90,000 bed volumes). GAC was found to be effective for T&O control and the main removal mechanisms were adsorption capacity and biodegradation.     

臭氧-活性炭深度处理滦河水的试验研究

对滦河水进行O3-GAC工艺深度处理中试研究表明O3-GAC能在较长时间内保持对水中有机物的去除,CODMn的平均去除率为60.19%;TOC的平均去除率为64%;UV254的平均去除率为70.41%;NH3-N的平均去除率为53.83%;对水中的浊度和色度都有明显的去除效果,尤其臭氧化对改善难生物降解有机物的可生化性有十分显著的作用;O3-GAC能有效地去除饮用水中的有害、有毒物质,提高饮用水的安全性.     

Water matrix effect on UV photodegradation of perfluorooctanoic acid

The widespread detection of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the water environment has been a concern for the last several years, while effluents from wastewater treatment facilities are the major sources of these compounds. Even advanced oxidation technologies (AOTs) are not useful for mineralization of the compounds due to their very high stability. Photochemical techniques using particularly vacuum UV (VUV) have been found to be very promising in this regard. But the use of VUV in UV-based AOTs has still not progressed much. Moreover, the impact of water quality on PFCs photomineralization is unknown. This investigation aimed to assess photomineralization potentials of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in ultrapure water (UPW), tap water (TW), surface water and treated wastewater effluent using a reactor setup enabling maximum utilization of VUV emission of low pressure lamp in laboratory batch experiments. Neya River water (NRW) and the Nakahama Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent (NWWTPE) represented surface water and treated wastewater effluent respectively. Also, tests were carried out in 50% diluted NRW and NWWTPE. PFOA photomineralization in terms of PFOA removal, defluorination and total organic carbon (TOC) removal are discussed. The usefulness of the method for PFOA mineralization in organic-rich wastewaters, and further research needs are also highlighted.