G. Newcombe et al., GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON - IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE-PROPERTIES IN THE ADSORPTION OF NATURALLY-OCCURRING ORGANICS, Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 78, 1993, pp. 65-71
The presence of dissolved organic matter (humic material in particular
) in source water decreases the effectiveness of granular activated ca
rbon filters in the treatment of drinking water. Results from potentio
metric titrations. electrophoretic mobility measurements and BET surfa
ce area analyses suggest that this may be due to an increase in the ne
gative charge on the carbon surface and a decrease in available surfac
e area after adsorption. An increase in pH and the application of heat
causes organics to desorb. After a subsequent acid treatment the carb
on exhibits an increased ability to adsorb dissolved organic material.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to examine the carbon surfa
ce before adsorption, after adsorption and after regeneration treatmen
t.