Removal of Synthetic Organic Foulants by Granular Activated Carbon Filters and Ultrafiltration Membrane

Abstract

Abstract In this study granular activated carbon (GAC) was used as pretreatment for foul control in ultrafiltration (UF) membrane process. First the adsorptive parameters for phenol, chlorophenol, nitrophenol and hydroquinone on GAC were determined. The equilibrium data fits well to Langmuir adsorption isotherm rather than Freundlich model. Breakthrough curves were obtained from fixed bed experiments and column parameter were calculated from it. GAC filters were then used in combination with UF membrane system. The percent retentions of the four organic substances under study were determined and the declines in flux were observed. The problems associated with powdered activated carbon like cake formation over membrane surface, long back wash time and blackening of pipes were not observed for GAC.