Improved granular activated carbon for the stabilization of wastewater PH

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry

OSTI ID:433169

Farmer, R W; Dussert, B W; Kovacic, S L ^[1]

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1. Calgon Carbon Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

Laboratory studies have identified the cause of the pH rise, which occurs during water treatment with activated carbon, as an interaction between the naturally occurring anions and protons in the water and the carbon surface. The interaction can be described as an ion exchange type of phenomenon, in which the carbon surface sorbs the anions and corresponding hydronium ions from the water. These studies have shown that the anion sorption and resulting pH increase is independent of the raw material used for the activated carbon production, e.g. bituminous or subbituminous coal, peat, wood or coconut. Also, the pH excursions occur with virgin, reactivated, and acid washed granular carbons. Current pH control technologies focus on adjustment of the wastewater pH prior to discharge or recycle of the initial effluent water until the pH increase abates. However, improved water pH control options have been realized by altering the carbon surface through controlled oxidation rather than the water chemistry or extended preprocessing at the treatment site.

• OSTI ID: 433169
• Report Number(s): CONF-960376--
• Journal Information: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry, Journal Name: Preprints of Papers, American Chemical Society, Division of Fuel Chemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 41; ISSN 0569-3772; ISSN ACFPAI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACTIVATED CARBON
COAL
ION EXCHANGE
PEAT
PH VALUE
PRECURSOR
SURFACE PROPERTIES
WATER TREATMENT