Physico-chemical water and wastewater treatment

Final Examination on Fall semester

Due on Dec. 15, 2021 by email or printed copy

Problem 1.
Preliminary studies of the removal of a pesticide from a wastewater by activated carbon
adsorption were performed in the laboratory by a series of batch experiments. Then 500-mL
flasks were filled with 250mL of solution containing about 500mg/L of pesticide. Eight of the
flasks were dosed with various weights of powered activated carbon, and two flasks served as
blanks. Flasks were stop and shaken for 8 hours at 25 oC. After the 8-hour period (which was
previously determined sufficient for equilibrium to be reached), the carbon was separated from
the supernatant. The table below shows the results of the supernatant analyses for pesticide
concentration.

Flask # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Liquid Conc. (g/L) 58.2 87.3 116.4 300 407 786 902 2940
Carbon Dose(mg) 1005 835 641 491 391 298 290 253

The two blank flasks (containing no carbon) had an average pesticide concentration of 515
mg/L.
Based on these data, determine the functional relationship of the Freundlich and
Langmuir adsorption isotherms.

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Problem 2.
A municipal authority responsible for both water and wastewater treatment is confronted by a
serious organic contamination problem. A halogenated solvent used in the spray cleaning of bus
wheels in a municipal terminal has in the past been discharged from a floor drain to the
municipal wastewater treatment plant. New pretreatment regulations require that the
concentration of this solvent in the discharge be reduced from its current level of 1mg/L to a
level of 50 g/L. some environmental damage has already been done, however, in that losses of
the solvent from the municipal sewer system have contaminated both the shallow and deep
aquifers of the region, the latter of which is used as a source of raw water supply for the
municipality. The shallow aquifer has an average level of 20 g/L of the contaminant, and the
deep aquifer a level of 5 g/L. The municipality is required to remediate the shallow aquifer to a
level of no more than 5 g/L, and drinking water regulations require no more than 1 g/L in the
treated water supply. The engineering staff of the municipality determined that the best
approach to each of these problems is to treat with powdered activated carbon.
Samples of activated carbon from three major suppliers are obtained. Adsorption isotherms are
constructed for each of the three carbons with the organic solvent (contaminant). The isotherms
are shown in the figure below.

QUESTION: Which of the carbons (identified as A, B, and C in the figure) will you select for
each of the contamination problem you need to solve: (1) pretreatment of the bus cleaning rinse
waters, (2) remediation of the shallow aquifer, and (3) meeting the drinking water regulations
(deep aquifer). Explain and justify your answer (very important !). Assume that the costs of
the carbons per pound are equal. Mention all other assumptions you have made.

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Problem 3.
Provide a discussion on the efficiency and mechanisms of removal of the following constituents
by activated carbon adsorption:
a) Taste and odor compounds
b) Disinfection by products
c) Viruses

Problem 4.
A water supply contains 0.5mg/L ammonia (as nitrogen). Estimate the Cl 2 dose in mg/L that
would be required to reach the breakpoint if no other chlorine-demanding substances are
present.