Many water treatment plants need to remove objectionable trace organic compounds, and activated carbon adsorption is often the best available technology. Utilities face the challenge of having to choose from a large variety of activated carbons, and iodine number or BET surface area values are often utilized in the selection process. Although neither parameter correlates well with adsorption capacities, alternative activated carbon selection criteria based on fundamental adsorbent and adsorbate properties are lacking to date. The first objective of this research was to systematically evaluate the effects of activated carbon pore structure and surface chemistry on the adsorption of two common drinking water contaminants: the relatively polar fuel oxygenate methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and the relatively nonpolar solvent trichloroethene (TCE). The second objective was to develop simple descriptors of activated carbon characteristics that facilitate the selection of suitable adsorbents for the removal of organic contaminants from drinking water.Originally published by AwwaRF for its subscribers in 2003 This publication can also be purchased and downloaded via Pay Per View on Water Intelligence Online - click on the Pay Per View icon below

The principal objectives of this research were (1) to identify activated pore structure and surface chemistry characteristics that assure the effective removal of trace organic contaminants from aqueous solution, and (2) to develop a procedure to predict the adsorption capacity of activated carbons from fundamental adsorbent and adsorbate properties. To systematically evaluate pore structure and surface chemistry effects on the adsorption of organic micropollutants from aqueous solution, a matrix of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with three activation levels and four surface chemistry levels was prepared and characterized. In addition, three commercially available granular activated carbons (GACs) were studied to verify whether correlations developed for the ACF matrix are valid for adsorbents that are typically used for water treatment. BET surface area, pore size distribution, elemental composition, point of zero charge and infrared spectroscopy data were obtained to characterize the adsorbents. The results showed that the ACF matrix prepared in this study permits a fairly independent evaluation of surface chemistry and pore structure effects on organic contaminant adsorption from aqueous solution. Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a relatively hydrophilic adsorbate, and trichloroethene (TCE), a relatively hydrophobic adsorbate, served as adsorbate probes. To evaluate the effects of natural organic matter (NOM) on MTBE and TCE adsorption capacities, isotherm experiments were conducted in ultrapure water and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water. With respect to surface chemistry, both single-solute isotherms and isotherms in the presence of NOM indicated that hydrophobic adsorbents more effectively removed TCE and MTBE from aqueous solution than hydrophilic adsorbents. Enhanced water adsorption on polar surface sites explained the poorer performance of the hydrophilic adsorbents. Based on the elemental composition of the low-ash carbons evaluated in this study, act.

Activated Carbon Surfaces in Environmental Remediation provides a comprehensive summary of the environmental applications of activated carbons. In order to understand the removal of contaminants and pollutants on activated carbons, the theoretical bases of adsorption phenomena are discussed. The effects of pore structure and surface chemistry are also addressed from both science and engineering perspectives. Each chapter provides examples of real applications with an emphasis on the role of the carbon surface in adsorption or reactive adsorption. The practical aspects addressed in this book cover the broad spectrum of applications from air and water cleaning and energy storage to warfare gas removal and biomedical applications. This book can serve as a handbook or reference book for graduate students, researchers and practitioners with an interest in filtration, water treatment, adsorbents and air cleaning, in addition to environmental policies and regulations. Addresses fundamental carbon science and how it relates to applications of carbon surfaces Describes the broad spectrum of activated carbon applications in environmental remediation Serves as a handbook or reference book for graduate students, researchers and practitioners in the field

In the last two decades an increasing presence of organic substances such drugs, pesticides, etc. has been detected in water which may affect the health of the organisms and the environment. Some of these contaminants remain in the water after the usual treatment in sewage plants. This fact makes evident the need of introduction of the tertiary treatments that allow the complete elimination of these substances. This Doctoral Thesis researches for the elimination of different organic and emerging compounds present in water by means of the adsorption with new activated carbons. In particular, new carbon materials from different wastes, coal, synthetic materials, which have been produced and characterized, allow the adsorption of the organic compounds widely used in society. Different characteristics of the adsorbents (chemical composition, functional groups, texture, etc.) and of adsorbates (dimensions, hydrophobicity, pKa, functional groups, etc.) that influence on the adsorption process have been studied. Moreover, in this work, an analysis and kinetic model have been proposed. The analytic model allow, by chemometrics, enhancing the quantification of two or more organic compounds in solution by spectroscopy UV-vis. The kinetic model proposed provides a better comprehension and interpretation, as a better prediction of the different parameters on the adsorption process. In this sense, the following Thesis presents five works which have allowed a better comprehension of the adsorption process by means carbon materials from different origin. The first work, "highly microporous activated carbons from biocollagenic wastes as adsorbents or aromatic pollutants in water originating from industrial activities", about the texture and chemical composition of activated carbon from biocollagenic wastes which have been studied in order to observe how these parameters affect on the adsorption of aromatic monosubstitued compounds. Moreover, different variables as temperature and activating agent are studied in the process of manufacture activated carbons. The second work, "Removal of pharmaceutical and Iodinated Contrast Media (ICM) compounds on carbon xerogels and activated carbons. NOM and textural properties influences", shows the important role of pore size distribution in activated carbon which plays on the adsorption of different pharmaceuticals (salicylic acid, paracetamol, diclifenac, etc.) and iodinated contrast media (iohexol, iodixanol, iomeprol, etc) of different size. The influence of natural organic matter (NOM) in water is also studied in the adsorption of the all pollutants. The adsorption of paracetamol, phenol and salicylicacid in different coal-based activated carbon is showed in the contain of the work "Removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in water using coal-based activated carbons". In this work, the chemical characteristics on the surface of activated carbons are studied in order to observe the influence in the adsorption of different organic compounds; and also the influence of the pH water. The results showed an increase of adsorption of salicylates due to the presence of sulphur on the surface of the adsorbent. The fourth work; "Multicomponent adsorption on coal-based activated carbons on aqueous media: new cross-correlation analysis method", as a continuation of the previous work, shows a new chemometric technique that allows to analysis the binary and ternary solutions correctly by UV-vis spectroscopy. Moreover, the competitive effect between two or three molecules is studied on the adsorption process. In the last work, "Role of activated carbon properties in atrazine and paracetamol adsorption equilibrium and kinetics", a new kinetic model is proposed for the adsorption of paracetamol and atrazine using activated carbon from sewage sludge and two, commercial, activated carbons.

High surface area, a microporous structure, and a high degree of surface reactivity make activated carbons versatile adsorbents, particularly effective in the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. Activated Carbon Adsorption introduces the parameters and mechanisms involved in the activated carbon adsorption

This monograph provides comprehensive coverage of technologies which integrate adsorption and biological processes in water and wastewater treatment. The authors provide both an introduction to the topic as well as a detailed discussion of theoretical and practical considerations. After a review of the basics involved in the chemistry, biology and technology of integrated adsorption and biological removal, they discuss the setup of pilot- and full-scale treatment facilities, covering powdered as well as granular activated carbon. They elucidate the factors that influence the successful operation of integrated systems. Their discussion on integrated systems expands from the effects of environmental to the removal of various pollutants, to regeneration of activated carbon, and to the analysis of such systems in mathematical terms. The authors conclude with a look at future needs for research and develoment. A truly valuable resource for environmental engineers, environmental and water chemists, as well as professionals working in water and wastewater treatment.