Adsorption Processes

Adsorption is a fundamental process in the physicochemical treatment of municipal wastewaters, a treatment which can economically meet today's higher effluent standards and water reuse requirements. Activated carbon is the most effective adsorbent for this application. Expanded-bed contact systems permit most efficient use of granular carbon for waste treatment. The adsorption process is enhanced by in-situ partial regeneration effected by biological growth on the surfaces of the carbon. Physicochemical systems using adsorption with activated carbon consistently produce high levels of treatment and have a high degree of stability and reliability. Advantages over biological treatment systems include: lower land area requirements: lower sensitivity to diurnal flow and concentration variations and to toxic substances: potential for significant heavy metal removal; greater flexibility in design and operation; and, superior removal of organic wastes.