Powdered or granular activated carbon adsorption has been widely used in drinking water treatment plants primarily for taste, odor, and synthetic organic contaminant (SOC) removal. However, carbon adsorption has not been widely used for controlling DOM due to the low equilibrium capacities and slow adsorption kinetics. The main reason for these drawbacks is that the majority of commercial activated carbons have been developed primarily to remove small molecular weight hydrophobic SOCs from water. As a result, many commercial carbons do not provide feasible engineering solutions for removing large molecular weight and heterogeneous mixtures of DBP precursors. This research was undertaken to develop a fundamental understanding of tailoring activated carbons for DBP control. The main objectives of this project were to (1) conduct a systematic investigation for developing a fundamental understanding of how activated carbons should be tailored for enhanced removal of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from natural waters; and (2) investigate the effectiveness of some carbon tailoring approaches for disinfection by-products (DBP) formation control at typical drinking water treatment conditions. This project showed that the removal of DBP precursor by GAC adsorption can be significantly improved. GAC adsorption, using modified GACs, can provide another alternative to some water utilities for meeting the Stage 2 requirements of the Disinfectant/Disinfection By-Products Rule.

The objective of this research was to investigate NOM removal with activated carbon and MIEX®. Hydrophilic (HPI), hydrophobic (HPO), and transphilic (TPI) NOM was fractionated and subsequent DBP formation from these fractions was studied. Several new adsorptive materials (greensand, carbon nanotubes, iron impregnated activated carbon) were tested for DBP reduction potential. Reductions by the materials were poor and therefore the materials were not investigated further. Activated carbons, although similar in structure, perform differently from each other. Aqua Nuchar® and Hawkins Sabre Series® had greater than 30% difference in TTHM FP reduction under the same test conditions. None of the activated carbons investigated were found to have potential for brominated DBP precursor removal. When MIEX® (magnetic ion exchange) was compared to activated carbon with respect to NOM fraction removal, it was found that MIEX® removed more of the HPI and TPI fractions. This was represented well in DBP FP reductions specifically derived from reactions with NOM in these fractions. In particular, MIEX® decreased NOM in the HPI fraction only 10% more than activated carbon but decreased TTHM FP 34% greater than activated carbon. This suggests that MIEX® preferentially removes DBP precursors to a greater extent than activated carbon. MIEX® was also found to decrease formation of brominated DBPs. SUVA, UV254, DOC, and chlorine demand were all investigated as surrogate parameters for DBPs. UV254 was found to correlate best with DBP formation with 0.56

Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water: Detection and Treatment presents cutting-edge research on how to understand the procedures, processes and considerations for detecting and treating disinfection by-products from drinking water, swimming pool water, and wastewater. The book begins with an overview of the different groups of Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs), such as: Trihalomethanes (THM), Halo acetic acids, and Haloacetonitrile (HAN). This coverage is quickly followed by a clear and rigorous exposition of the latest methods and technologies for the characterization, occurrence, formation, transformation and removal of DBPs in drinking water. Other chapters focus on ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Researchers will find a valuable resource to a breath of topics for DBP detection and treatment, including various recent techniques, such as microfiltration, nanofiltration membrane and nanotechnology. - Explains the latest research in detection, treatment processes and remediation technologies - Includes sampling, analytical and characterization methods and approaches - Covers cutting-edge research, including membrane based technologies, nanotechnology treatment technologies and bioremediation treatment technologies - Provides background information regarding contamination sources

There are many by-products of water disinfection that are still not fully understood and can be potentially harmful. In this volume all the current research in this area is discussed, along with an examination of the role of NOM (natural organic matter) and its relationship to DBP (disinfection by-product) formation and control in drinking water. Understanding the relationship of NOM to DBP may well lead to new techniques for analyzing and treating water and enable reasonable choices to be made for source-water protection, treatment plant process optimization, and distribution system operation to control DBP's. This volume emphasizes the characterization and reactivity of polar natural organic matter. It examines analytical methods which better characterize NOM and determines some of the polar and nonvolatile DBP forms. It presents innovative new methods, sich as capillary electrophoresis for haloacetic aceids and LC/MS for the identification of polar dinking water DBPs.

Hailed on its initial publication as a real-world, practical handbook, the second edition of Handbook of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations continues to make the same basic point: water and wastewater operators must have a basic skill set that is both wide and deep. They must be generalists, well-rounded in the sciences, cyber operations, math operations, mechanics, technical concepts, and common sense. With coverage that spans the breadth and depth of the field, the handbook explores the latest principles and technologies and provides information necessary to prepare for licensure exams. Expanded from beginning to end, this second edition provides a no-holds-barred look at current management issues and includes the latest security information for protecting public assets. It presents in-depth coverage of management aspects and security needs and a new chapter covering the basics of blueprint reading. The chapter on water and wastewater mathematics has tripled in size and now contains an additional 200 problems and 350 math system operational problems with solutions. The manual examines numerous real-world operating scenarios, such as the intake of raw sewage and the treatment of water via residual management, and each scenario includes a comprehensive problem-solving practice set. The text follows a non-traditional paradigm based on real-world experience and proven parameters. Clearly written and user friendly, this revision of a bestseller builds on the remarkable success of the first edition. This book is a thorough compilation of water science, treatment information, process control procedures, problem-solving techniques, safety and health information, and administrative and technological trends.