Quantification and modeling of the elimination behavior of ecologically problematic wastewater micropollutants by adsorption on powdered and granulated activated carbon.

The adsorption on powdered activated carbon (PAC) of ecotoxic or potentially ecotoxic micropollutants (ten pharmaceuticals, four X-ray contrast media, and eight industrial chemicals) present in a biologically treated municipal wastewater is studied. All but the X-ray contrast media are eliminated with high efficiency at an economically feasible PAC dosage of 10 mg/L. Based on the experimental data, the competition between the background organic matter and the micropollutant for the active sites of the adsorbent is modeled with the help of the adsorption and tracer analysis supported by the Ideal Adsorption Solution Theory. With granulated activated carbon, adsorption isotherms are determined by spiking. Based on these experimental data and modeled parameters, a lay-out of fixed-bed adsorbers may be simulated.