Elimination of micro pollutants by powder and granular activated carbon in final filtration units at municipal WWTPs
Kolisch, G.1, Taudien, Y.1, Bornemann, C.2, 1Wupperverbandsgesellschaft für integrale Wasserwirtschaft mbH, Germany, 2Wupperverband, Germany
(free)
Abstract
Currently, on a European as well as on a German level quality standards for trace organic compounds such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors or organic phosphorus compounds are discussed in order to protect waters. In future this may require a technical elimination of organic trace compounds or so-called micro pollutants at waste water treatment. For elimination of micro pollutants in municipal waste water the adsorption by activated carbon and the oxidation by ozone are established technologies. Both approaches require a downstream filtration in order to detain carbon particles and to biodegrade transformation products, resp. In the project FilterAK+ an elimination of micro pollutants in flocculation filters by activated carbon was investigated and approved in technical scale. This approach avoids building of additional reactors for processing. Therefore, it is especially suited for sewage plants with less extension space or lacking hydraulic reserve capacity. The expenditure for conversion of already existing filtration plants is lower compared to other carbon based approaches.
