Impact of natural organic matter on monochloramine reduction by granular activated carbon: the role of porosity and electrostatic surface properties

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es060111j· OSTI ID:20772695

Fairey, Julian L; Speitel, Jr, Gerald E; Katz, Lynn E ^[1]

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1. University of Texas at Austin, TX (United States). Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering

Steady-state monochloramine reduction in fixed-bed reactors (FBRs) was quantified on five types of granular activated carbon (GAC) using two background waters - one natural source water (LAW) containing 2.5-3.5 mg/L organic carbon and one synthetic organic-free water (NW). GACs used were coal-based Filtrasorb 400, Filtrasorb 600, Centaur and Medical Grade, and wood-based AquaGuard. While more monochloramine was reduced at steady-state using NW compared to LAW for each GAC and empty-bed contact time studied, the differences in removal varied considerably among the GACs tested. Physical characterization of the GACs suggested that the degree of interference caused by natural organic matter (NOM) increased with increasing GAC surface area contained within pores greater than 2 nm in width. Acid/base and electrostatic properties of the GACs were not found to be significant in terms of NOM uptake, which indicated that size exclusion effects of the GAC pores overwhelmed the impact of the GAC surface chemistry. Therefore, selection of GAC to limit the impact of NOM on monochloramine reduction in FBRs should be based on pore size distribution alone, with the impact of NOM decreasing with decreasing mesoporosity and macroporosity. 23 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 20772695
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 40; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTIVATED CARBON
CHLORAMINES
COAL
DECHLORINATION
DRINKING WATER
LAKES
ORGANIC MATTER
PH VALUE
PORE STRUCTURE
POROSITY
REDUCTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE POTENTIAL
SURFACE PROPERTIES
WATER TREATMENT
WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
WOOD