PAC selection and preliminary assessment of different PAC/NF configurations

Abstract

This report aims at performing a selection of a commercial powdered activated carbon (PAC) adequate to control a set of target emerging contaminants through PAC/nanofiltration (PAC/NF) hybrid process (Action B.1.1) and to perform a preliminary assessment of different PAC/NF configurations, which will be further tested in action B3 (Action B.1.2). A list of contaminants to be addressed was created, with these contaminants being classified into classes, based on their size, charge and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. Based on the available data of commercial carbons, a pre-selection of four carbons was performed. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics of the selected four representative contaminants supplemented to real effluent of “El Prat” WWTP were performed with the selected PAC. Based on the PAC adsorption design and information produced on Action B.1.1, numerical simulations of different PAC/NF configurations were carried out. Based on the removal efficiencies of the target contaminants, two bench-scale configurations were selected, designed, set-up and performed. The configuration involving PAC pulse dosing showed to be more efficient for the contaminants’ removal.