Adsorption capacity of powdered activated carbon for 3,5-dichlorophenol in activated sludge

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of powdered activated carbon treatment (PACT) process based on the adsorption capacity of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in activated sludge and the effect of dissolved organic substances in activated sludge on the adsorption capacity of PAC. The DCP adsorption capacity of three PACs originated from different raw materials (coal, soft coal and sawdust) in activated sludge were 29%, 34% and 17% of that of new PAC, respectively. The performance of PACT process for shock loading of 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) was different among PACs in spite of the same adsorption capacity in new PAC. The performance of PACT process for removal of DCP is dependent not on the adsorption capacity of new PAC but on the adsorption capacity of PAC in the aeration tank. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) with molecular weight smaller than 50kDa did not affect the adsorption capacity of PAC for 3,5-DCP in the activated sludge reactor. DOM with molecular weight larger than 50kDa and biofilm developed on the surface of PAC seemed to be responsible for the decreased adsorption capacity of PAC for the DCP.