Małgorzata Kida

The use of activated carbons for removing organic matter from groundwater

Abstract The article presents research results of the introduction of powdery activated carbon to the existing technological system of the groundwater treatment stations in a laboratory, pilot plant and technical scale. The aim of the research was to reduce the content of organic compounds found in the treated water, which create toxic organic chlorine compounds (THM) after disinfection with chlorine. Nine types of powdery active carbons were tested in laboratory scale. The top two were selected for further study. Pilot plant scale research was carried out for the filter model using CWZ-30 and Norit Sa Super carbon. Reduction of the organic matter in relation to the existing content in the treated water reached about 30%. Research in technical scale using CWZ-30 carbon showed a lesser efficiency with respect to laboratory and pilot-plant scale studies. The organic matter decreased by 15%. Since filtration is the last process before the individual disinfection, an alternative solution is proposed, i.e. the second stage of filtration with a granular activated carbon bed, operating in combined sorption and biodegradation processes. The results of tests carried out in pilot scale were fully satisfactory with the effectiveness of 70–100%.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON REMOVAL OF DIBUTYL PHTHALATE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING ULTRASOUND

Removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from various components of the environment is an important issue, which currently much attention is paid to. Conventional methods used for their elimination are often ineffective and require additional solutions. For this reason, studies are being conducted on the possibility of using advanced methods of oxidation, which also includes ultrasonic waves. The work includes an assessment of the applicability of the sonochemical method to the oxidation of dibutyl phthalate. Presents results of tests on the effectiveness of the ultrasonic field with a fixed frequency of 20 kHz. The effect of pH, sonication time and amplitude on the process of decomposition were investigated. To the isolation of analyte was used solid phase extraction (SPE). The degree of reduction of dibutyl phthalate was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Preliminary studies have shown the efficacy of the use of ultrasound to remove of dibutyl phthalate.