Micropollutant removal from water
The demand
With an ever-changing contaminant profile and evolving regulatory constraints, potable water treatment faces a constant challenge to find the most cost-efficient way to remove specific micro-contaminants. These can include pesticides, algal toxins, taste and odour compounds, and pharmaceuticals.
The method
Activated carbon is an effective and proven treatment for removal of natural and polluting micro-contaminants from water. Available as powdered carbon (PAC) or granular carbon (GAC). There are many suppliers, grades and carbon source materials, and the relative performance of GAC types can differ considerably depending on the nature of the water and contaminant.
The problem
A GAC bed would be expected to last at least a year, making pilot plant trials impractical and expensive for comparing GACs. The capital cost of activated carbon as well as the operating costs of regenerating the material when it is spent are significant. As a result, selection of the most cost-effective product for each application and the monitoring of residual capacity for part-spent GAC are vital tools in controlling those costs.
