title: Fractionation and removal of dissolved organic carbon in a full-scale granular activated carbon filter used for drinking water production.
abstract: The removal of natural organic matter (NOM) and, more particularly, its individual fractions by two different GACs was investigated in full-scale filters in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). Fractionation of NOM was performed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) into biopolymers, humic substances, building blocks and low molecular weight organics. The sorption capacity of GAC in terms of iodine number (IN) and apparent surface area (SBET), as well as the filling of narrow- and super-microporosity were monitored over the 1-year operation of the filters. Both GACs demonstrated to be effective at removing NOM over a wide range of fractions, especially the low and intermediate molecular weight fractions. TOC removal initially occurred via adsorption, and smaller (lighter) fractions were more removed as they could enter and diffuse more easily through the pores of the adsorbent. As time progressed, biodegradation also played a role in the TOC removal, and lighter fractions continued to be preferentially removed due to their higher biodegradability. The gained knowledge would assist drinking water utilities in selecting a proper GAC for the removal of NOM from water and, therefore, complying more successfully the latest water regulations.
authors.affiliation: CETaqua, Water Technology Center, Ctra. d'Esplugues 75, 08940 Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain. ogibert@cetaqua.com
authors.forename: Oriol
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gibert
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lefèvre
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bernat
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paraira
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pons
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D005374:Filtration; D007455:Iodine / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002606:Charcoal; D007455:Iodine