2010 Waters - Activated Carbon Filter

Identification
TB-008
December 2010 Replaces : None
Activated carbon filter

Classification Document type: Hierarchical level: Confidentiality: Guideline Core Document Yellow Class
Cop ri!"t
The content of this document is a trade secret. It may not be reproduced distributed or disclosed to third parties !ithout proper authorisation. "ll ri#hts belon# to $estl% &aters '.T. (21)0 Issy*+es* 'oulineau, -rance.
. $estl% &aters '.T.
Aut"or#s$ Approver#s$
/TC &ater * 0n#ineerin# 1roup 2 3. Davy /TC &ater * 0n#ineerin# 1roup 2 4. 4aby
Table of contents
%arnin!: this document provides an overvie! of the activated carbon filter technolo#y. -or any ne! !ater treatment processes or any modification of e,istin# !ater treatment processes please contact the /TC &ater * 0n#ineerin# 1roup.
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Introduction
&cope This document refers to the !ater treatment process 5and the associated e6uipment5 that use filtration and2or adsorption on activated carbon: "ctivated carbon -iltration "dsorption &ater 'aterial manufactured from carbon. /hysical separation process to remove elements from !ater. /roperty of some materials more or less reversibly fi,in# ions or molecules on their surfaces. In product !ater: !ater that !ill be bottled or used to prepare a bevera#e 5immediately after or after further treatment.
'urpose of t"is docu ment
This document !ill provide you !ith: definitions and basic concepts lin7ed to activated carbon filter8 the principles of activated carbon filtration and the main components of activated carbon unit8 #eneral #uidelines for activated carbon filter8 information on potential ha9ards and ho! to prevent them8 reference documents that demonstrate the properties of activated carbon filtration. $ote: this document has not to be used for purc"asin! purposes. In such a case please refer to &ater Resources Technical 4tandards.
Tar!et audi ence
This document is addressed to corporate 9one mar7et and factory: &ater Resources 'ana#ers8 &ater Resources Champions8 &ater Treatment 4pecialists and Hydro#eolo#ists :uality "ssurance 1roup 'T.
N% (eference docu ment s
Water Resources Technical Standards - Process (WRTS_P_011) Natural organic matter removal Water Resources Technical Standards - Process (WRTS_P_020) olatile organic com!ounds removal It should be hi#hli#hted that for the three follo!in# applications ;ammonia iron and man#anese removal< activated carbon is not the preferable choice. Water Resources Technical Standards - Process (WRTS_P_001) "mmonia removal Water Resources Technical Standards - Process (WRTS_P_00#) $ron removal Water Resources Technical Standards - Process (WRTS_P_00%) &anganese removal
T=*00> 2 December 2010 /TC &ater * 0n#ineerin# 1roup $estl% &aters '.T. 'ay not be divul#ed to third parties !ithout proper authorisation
)221
Concepts and Definitions Activated Carbon Definition and )anufacturin!

Activated carb on "ctivated carbon also called activated charcoal or activated coal is a #eneral term !hich covers carbon material mostly derived from charcoal. "ctivated carbon is a microporous form of carbon manufactured from peat !ood li#nite coal or coconutshell. "ctivation is achieved !ith steam or via a chemical process. "ctivated carbon is #enerally produced in t!o different processes: /hysical activation: It is #enerally done by usin# a combination of the follo!in# processes: 1. 'ar(oni)ation* a process !here material !ith carbon content is pyrolysed at temperatures in the ran#e of ?00*(00@C in the absence of air ;usually in inert atmosphere !ith #ases li7e nitro#en or ar#on< 2. "ctivation+,-idation* a process in !hich the ra! material or carboni9ed material is e,posed to o,idi9in# atmospheres ;carbon dio,ide o,y#en or steam< at temperatures above 2A0@C usually in the temperature ran#e of ?00*1200@C Chemical activation: It involves impre#nation !ith chemicals such as acids li7e phosphoric acid or bases li7e potassium hydro,ide sodium hydro,ide or salts li7e 9inc chloride follo!ed by carboni9ation processes at temperatures in the ran#e of BA0* (00@C. It is believed that carboni9ation and activation steps proceed simultaneously in chemical activation. This techni6ue can be problematic in some cases because for e,ample 9inc trace residues may remain in the final product.
Activation
B221
Bed *ilter Terminolo!

)edia 'ressure vess el Bed volume No++le " media is a #ranular filter material. In the conte,t of !ater treatment a pressure vessel is a closed ri#id container desi#ned to hold !ater at a pressure different from the ambient pressure.
The bed volume ;=3< is defined as the volume of media inside a vessel. " no99le is a device placed on a plate inside a bed filter pressure vessel !ith a specific slot to retain the media and #uarantee a homo#eneous flo! inside the vessel. "dsorption defines the property of some materials more or less reversibly fi,in# ions or molecules ;#ases metals or#anic moleculesC< on their surfaces. 'atter is transferred from the a6ueous or #as phase to!ards the solid surface. Clo##in# is the #radual bloc7in# of the interstices of the filter material. Clo##in# causes the head loss to rise. The bac7!ash process consists in pumpin# filtered !ater up!ard throu#h the filter bed. It fluidi9es the media and removes particles that have been trapped !ithin the media. The spent filter bac7!ash !ater !ill contain the remove particles. -ilters must be routinely bac7!ashed to maintain proper treatment capability and avoid clo##in#. The fre6uency of bac7!ashin# and bac7!ash method !ill vary plant to plant.
Adsorption
Clo!!in!
Bac,was"
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*iltration (ate- Contact Time and . draulic /oad

*iltration rate The filtration rate is defined as the ratio bet!een the flo! rate and the section of the vessel. It is #enerally e,pressed in m2h. *low rate Dm 3 2 "E *iltration rate Dm2hE F &ection Dm 2 E The contact time is defined as the ratio bet!een the volume and the flo! rate. It is #enerally e,pressed in hour ;h< or minute ;min<. T!o types of contact time are distin#uished: The contact time in an o,idation to!er is defined as the ratio bet!een the volume of !ater and the flo! rate: Contact time DhE F
in an o,idation to!er
Contact time
0olume of water Dm 3 E *low rate Dm 3 2 "E
The 0mpty =ed Contact Time 5or simply 0=TC* in a vessel of filtration material is defined as the ratio bet!een the hei#ht of material and the filtration rate: 1BTC DhE F
.ei!"t of material DmE *iltration rate Dm 2 "E
. draulic load
The hydraulic load ;Cv< is defined as the ratio bet!een the treated !ater flo! rate and the bed volume: Cv F
Treated water flowrate Dm 3 2 "E Bed volume Dm 3 E
It is the opposite of the empty bed contact time. The hydraulic load is e,pressed in &32=32h: i.e. !ater volume ;&3< per bed volume ;=3< per time ;h<.
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Tec"nolo! of Activated Carbon 'roperties of Activated Carbon

Adsorption prop ertie s The activation process develops a myriad of pores of molecular dimensions !ithin the carbon !hich ta7en to#ether form the basis of an enormous internal surface area. This surface area can e,ceed 2000m22# of activated carbon. " proper activated carbon has a number of uni6ue characteristics: a lar#e internal surface area dedicated ;surface< chemical properties and #ood accessibility of internal pores. Three #roups of pores are distin#uished: 'acropores ;above A0 nm diameter< 'esopores ;2*A0 nm diameter< 'icropores ;under 2 nm diameter< 'icropores #enerally contribute to the maGor part of the internal surface area. 'acro* and mesopores can #enerally be re#arded as the Hhi#h!aysI into the carbon particle and are crucial for 7inetics. The pore si9e distribution is hi#hly important for the practical application. The desired pore structure of an activated carbon product is attained by combinin# the ri#ht ra! material and activation conditions. The carbon atoms at the internal surface of activated carbon e,ert an attraction on the molecules of surroundin# #ases and li6uids the so called 3an der &aals forces. The stren#th of these forces is related to the molecular structure of the surroundin# medium. 4ome molecules are stron#ly attracted others less so. This is the basis of the mechanism !hereby activated carbon may be used to remove one or more components from a mi,ture. *orm of activ ated carb on "ctivated carbon e,ists in different forms: /o!der "ctivated Carbon ;/"C< 1ranular "ctivated Carbon ;1"C<: ;#ranulated or e,truded< it can be re#enerated at the supplierJs facilities !ith specific procedure ;at very hi#h temperature K L00@C<. -or $& activities it is not recommended to do re#eneration because of cross contamination ris7s. "ctivated carbon is characteri9ed by the follo!in# parameters: 1. Iodine number ;in # of I2 per 7# of carbon<: it evaluates the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon. -or pesticides taste and odor removal an iodine number K1000 is recommended. 2. 1ranulometry: a homo#eneous #ranulometry is recommended to avoid particle release durin# the normal runnin# conditions ;fine activated carbon particles passin# throu#h no99les< and avoid particle release durin# bac7!ash. ). Density
'ontinued on ne-t !age
C"aracteristic of !ran ular activ ated carb on
L221
'roperties of Activated Carbon- Continued

%ater treat ment appli catio n In $estl% &aters business activated carbon can be used for the follo!in# !ater treatment applications: Removal of TMC ;Total Mr#anic Carbon<: TMC is the analytical parameter of the total or#anic matter Removal of TH' ;trihalomethanes< precursors /esticides removal Taste and Mdor removal: #enerally due to 3MCJs ;3olatile Mr#anic Compounds< Color removal: #enerally due to humic substances or or#anic material Dechlorination Deo9onation. "ctivated carbon can also be used as the filtration support for iron man#anese or ammonia removal.
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Components of Activated Carbon *ilters

)ain com pone nts
+evel transmitter Inlet water
=ac7!ashin# !ater outlet
+T
"n activated carbon filter is composed of the main follo!in# parts:
"ir release ;vent valve< Repartition plate =ed filter pressure vessel
"ctivated carbon $o99les
4terile air for bac7!ash =ac7!ashin# !ater inlet
2utlet water
'art *unction =ed filter pressure Contains a 6uantity of adsorption material. vessel "ctivated carbon "ctivated carbon layer placed inside the bed filter pressure vessel. $o99les /revent media evacuation throu#h the pipin# net!or7. Repartition plate +evel transmitter 3ent valve ;air release< /laced inside the bed filter pressure vessel to ensure a homo#eneous !ater flo! distribution inside the vessel. Indicates the actual !ater level in the bed filter pressure vessel. Release air overpressure in the bed filter pressure vessel to operate free of air ;full of !ater<. The openin#2closin# of the valve is related to the level transmitter.
(221
Components of Activated Carbon *ilters- Continued

)inor com pone nts 'art /ressure #au#es "utoclave doors2manholes 4amplin# ports CI/ connections Drain valves /ost particle filtration Relief valve (o!tional/ in 0unction o0 the legislation and+or 0ilter design) *unction 'easure pressure at the inlet2outlet of the filter to determine head losses and chec7 filter clo##in#. /rovide access to the inside of the bed filter pressure vessel. "llo! to load2unload the media inside the bed filter pressure vessel "llo! to ta7e sterile samples at the inlet2outlet of the filter. "llo! to do the cleanin# and disinfection of the fluoride removal unit. Drain totally the bed filter pressure vessel in case of stops or CI/. /rotects the !ater net!or7 from particle deposits that could escape from the bed filter pressure vessel. It is placed at the outlet of the bed filter vessel. /ressure safety component that protects the bed filter pressure vessel in case of overpressure. The minor components of an activated carbon filter are:
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Components of Activated Carbon *ilters- Continued

Bed filter 3 detai led view -our different areas can be distin#uished in the activated carbon pressure vessel as described belo!:
Inlet !ater
Re!artition !late
Nseful Hei#ht
Head space
"ir release
Total Hei#ht
"ctivated carbon layer F =ed volume
"ctivated carbon
No))les
Mutlet !ater
'art Total hei#ht Nseful hei#ht Head space "ctivated carbon layer or bed volume
*unction Hei#ht from the bottom to the top of the vessel. Hei#ht from the floor ;plate e6uipped !ith no99les< to the repartition plate. Hei#ht from the top of the activated carbon layer to the repartition plate. This free space allo!s bed e,tension durin# bac7!ashin# !ith minimum head losses. Hei#ht of the activated carbon layer from the floor ;plate e6uipped !ith no99les<.
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Guidelines Tec"nical Guidelines

Guidelines "n activated carbon unit should comply !ith the follo!in# set of #uidelines: 'ain si9in# data for the activated carbon filter Recommended components. The activated carbon filter is a bed filter pressure vessel e6uipped !ith no99les on the floor and !ith all the devices re6uired for bac7!ashin# and disinfection. "ccordin# to the !ater treatment application the flo! rate and the technical constraints on site one filter or t!o filters in series or parallel can be implemented. -or !ater treatment applications the follo!in# si9in# data are usually applied: 'arameters -iltration rate ;m2h< 0mpty =ed Contact Time ;min< Guideline values A *1A 10
;up to )0 minutes in specific applications<
)ain si+in! data 3 Activated carbon filter
It is recommended to set up a particle filter at the outlet of activated carbon filter to protect a#ainst possible particles releases.
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2peration of an Activated Carbon *ilter Good 2perational 'ractices

Good oper ation al pract ices This part describes the #ood operational practices for: 4afety pre*re6uirements "ctivated carbon +oadin# =ac7!ashin# Disinfection &aste!ater mana#ement. The follo!in# precautions have to be follo!ed in case of activated carbon loadin# procedure: &or7 by team of at least t!o people: * Mne is remainin# out of the tan7 to chec7 the #ood !or7in# conditions * The person;s< at the top of the tan7 must be protected !ith a harness fi,ed to the top of the tan7 * " safety ladder must be placed up2do!n the tan7 ;the best e6uipment is a safety trolley ladder e6uipped !ith handrail< * It is forbidden to #et on a for7lift &ear protective and clean clothes: * Clean cap * 4terile #loves * 4terile mobcap * Mvershoes * 'as7 to protect a#ainst fine particles 'ana#e a #ood ventilation of the filter by openin# the t!o manholes Activated carb on filter loadi n! proc edur e The follo!in# procedure describes the different steps for activated carbon filter loadin# !ithin the conte,t of the start*up of a ne! !ater treatment !ith activated carbon. The follo!in# values are only #uidelines !hich "ave to be adapted for eac" industrial unit accordin# to the available e6uipments and accordin# to the initial !ater 6uality:
&afet prere4ui reme nts
&tep 1
* * * * * * *
Action =efore be#innin# the loadin# procedure the follo!in# steps must be completed: Hydraulic test is MO ;no lea7a#e< 0,ternal tan7 cleanin# is done and passivation is completed The internal part of the tan7 is perfectly manually cleaned $o forei#n bodies remain in the tan7 =asic and acid cleanin#s of the internal part of the tan7 are done The ri#ht 6uantity of #ranular activated carbon is available Chec7 that pre*treated !ater or softened !ater ;passed on filter 0.2 Pm and N3< is available ;6uantity and flo! necessary for bac7* !ash and rinsin#<
1)221
1B221
Good 2perational 'ractices- Continued

Activated carbon filter loadin! procedure ;continued< &tep 2 ) B A Action 'a7e the !or7in# area secure: * Respect the safety pre*re6uirements * /lace the 1"C ba#s at the manhole level than7s to a for7lift 'easure the hei#ht bet!een the manhole and the no99les plate to define the final hei#ht bet!een the manhole and the upper media layer ;e,ample: if Htotal F )m and H"CF 1 m then Hfinal F 2m< -ill the filter !ith pre*treated !ater ;or softened !ater< up to a level )0*B0 cm under the inlet !ater system -ill the filter !ith 12) of the 1"C load: 1 * Thro! the 12) of the 1"C load by the manhole * &ait for 10 minutes ;to let 1"C settle< * -ill the filter at counter*current by increasin# slo!ly the flo! rate up to the nominal flo! durin# )0 minutes ;i.e. at least 2Qcontact time<. Decrease the flo! if hi#h 6uantities of 1"C are reGected or if the !ater is #oin# to achieve the manhole level: the bac7!ash must be done !ith H#entleI conditions because of the density of the material * 4top the counter current -ill the filter !ith another 12) of the 1"C load: * Thro! another 12) of the 1"C load by the manhole * &ait for 10 minutes ;to let 1"C settle< * "ir liftin# at counter current durin# A minutes !ith sterile air * -ill the filter !ith air and !ater at counter current durin# several minutes * -ill the filter at counter*current !ith only !ater by increasin# slo!ly the flo! rate up to the nominal flo! ;decrease the flo! if hi#h 6uantities of 1"C are reGected or if the !ater is #oin# to achieve the manhole level< durin# )0 minutes ;i.e. at least 2Qcontact time< * 4top the counter current * 'easure the upper media layer
If the no99les slot is smaller than the 1"C #ranulometry it is usually not necessary to put a protective sand layer. $evertheless for each application it is necessary to chec7 !ith the supplier if it is necessary or not to have this sand layer.
1A221

Activated carbon filter loadin! procedure ;continued< &tep L Action -ill the filter !ith the last 12) of the 1"C load: * Thro! the last 12) of 1"C load by the manhole * Close the manhole nd * Repeat the same steps as for the 2 fillin# ;air airR!ater !ater alone< * -or the last step ;bac7!ash !ith !ater alone at counter current< rinse until !ater is HclearI: -ill a bottle and chec7 if the !ater is clear ;visually<: If not continue the bac7!ash until to have HclearI !ater If so filter 1+ of !ater on a 0.BA Pm membrane: If Then 'embrane is 4top the rinsin# at countercurrent !hite 'embrane is Continue the rinsin# until the !ater is free H#rey or of particles ;chec7 a#ain !ith this blac7I Hmembrane testI< Repeat the operation t!ice to Hdouble*chec7edI the results -inal rinse !ith nominal !ater flo! rate at co*current till the return in 6uality ;chec7 the !ater 6uality at the outlet of the ".C. filter as described above !ith the test on the membrane<
>
Bac,was"in!
The activated carbon bed should be bac7!ashed #ently before puttin# into service in order to remove fines and should be bac7!ashed re#ularly durin# use in order to avoid channelin#. The follo!in# values for bac7!ashin# are only #uidelines !hich "ave to be adapted for eac" industrial unit accordin# to the available e6uipments and accordin# to the initial !ater 6uality: &tep 1 2 ) Action /artial drain of the filter "ir liftin# "ir R treated !ater at counter current Treated !ater at counter*current -inal rinse !ith nominal !ater flo! rate at co*current till the return in 6uality
$ote: The fre6uency of bac7!ashes is determined accordin# to a ma,imum pressure drop or accordin# to a time.
1?221

Disinfection Sou can use the follo!in# disinfectants to disinfect the activated carbon filter: .ot water- 856C at the outlet of the filter co*current &team disinfection- 7806C ;at least once a month<. /rior to do a hot !ater disinfection please chec7 that: " biolo#ical process is not intentionally implemented on the "C filter ;e.#. nitrification< 06uipments are resistant to hot !ater ;e.#. no99les< CI/ system is able to perform a hot !ater disinfection ;i.e. chec7 that the heatin# system can brin# the !hole unit to >A@C<. /lease note that it !ill ta7e several hours ;up to 10 or 2B hours< to achieve the re6uired temperature ;>A@C< in the "C filter. "fter a hot !ater disinfection you should pro#ressively cool do!n the system !ith a final rinse at a lo! !ater flo! rate ;at co*current< to avoid too 6uic7 temperature variations and so prevent pressure vessel collapse. $ote: The use of steam disinfection can also partially re#enerate carbon that has only fi,ed a fe! hi#hly volatile products ;e.#. chlorinated solvents<. %astewater man a!e ment It must be underlined that final !aste!ater 6uality must conform to local re#ulatory re6uirements.
1L221
'otential Issues
'otential issu es 'article relea se This part describes the potential issues that may occur durin# the operation of an activated carbon unit.
The use of activated carbon may lead to potential particle release. It is recommended to set up a particle filter ;e.g. cartrid#e filter A *1 Pm< at the outlet of activated carbon filter to protect the do!nstream treatment a#ainst possible particles releases ;e.g. prevent do!nstream membranes from clo##in#<. "n activated carbon pressure vessel may be a support for the development of microor#anisms !hich may lead to problems of tastes and odors. To avoid problems of tastes and odors the activated carbon filter should be disinfected on a re#ular basis to control the microbiolo#y inside the pressure vessel.
Tastes and odor s
1>221
Trouble-s"ootin!
Troubles"oo tin! 'articles of AC at t"e outle t of t"e filter durin ! t"e adso rptio n c cle /ossible causes =ac7!ash is too stron# and2or the final rinse at the end of a bac7!ash is too short Mne;or several< no99le;s< is;are< bro7en "ctions "dGust bac7!ash parameters and2or increase the time for the final rinse Replace the bro7en no99le;s<: 4top the process Drain the filter Remove activated carbon Replace the bro7en no99le;s< Refill the filter !ith activated carbon Disinfect the filter prior to restartin# the process. "ctions "dGust the bac7!ash parameters to optimi9e bac7!ash efficiency Increase bac7!ash fre6uency. The main trouble*shootin#s that can affect the process are listed belo!:
* * * * * *
.i!" pressure loss es
/ossible causes +o! efficiency of the bac7!ash =ac7!ashes not enou#h fre6uent /ossible causes =ac7!ash is too stron#
'articles of AC relea sed durin ! bac, was" Taste and odor s at t"e outle t of AA filter
"ctions "dGust bac7!ash parameters ;i.e. air2!ater flo! rate<.
/ossible causes Development of microor#anisms not intentionally implemented on the "C filter
"ctions Do bac7!ashes on the filter on a re#ular basis Disinfect the "C filter on a re#ular basis.
1(221
Appendi9 Biblio!rap"
(eference docu ment s -urther information on fluoride removal technolo#y can be found in the follo!in# reference documents: &HM 1uidelines for drin7in# !ater 6uality 200?: http:22!!!.!ho.int2!aterTsanitationThealth2d!62#d!6)rev2en2 CRITT0$D0$ U.C. RHMD04 TRN440+ R. H"$D D.&. HM&0 O.U. TCHM="$M1+MN4 1. %ater treatment: principles and desi!n. 4econd edition. '&H. Uohn &iley V 4ons 200A. D01R0'M$T. %ater treatment "andboo,. Lth edition. +avoisier 200L.
20221
Tec"nical Data &"eet

Activated carb on: N2(I T (ow 0;8 &upr a The $MRIT Ro! 0.> 4upra could be used for removal of taste and odor or#anic micro pollutants ;pesticides< other dissolved or#anic substances chlorine and o9one.
21221
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Activated carb on: N2(I T (ow 0;8 &upr a
Activated carb on pres sure vess el

2010 Waters - Activated Carbon Filter

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2010 Waters - Activated Carbon Filter

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Identification

Activated carbon filter

'urpose of t"is docu ment

Tar!et audi ence

N% (eference docu ment s

Concepts and Definitions Activated Carbon Definition and )anufacturin!

Bed *ilter Terminolo!

*iltration (ate- Contact Time and . draulic /oad

0olume of water Dm 3 E *low rate Dm 3 2 "E

Tec"nolo! of Activated Carbon 'roperties of Activated Carbon

C"aracteristic of !ran ular activ ated carb on

'roperties of Activated Carbon- Continued

Components of Activated Carbon *ilters

"n activated carbon filter is composed of the main follo!in# parts:

"ctivated carbon $o99les

4terile air for bac7!ash =ac7!ashin# !ater inlet

Components of Activated Carbon *ilters- Continued

'ontinued on ne-t !age

Components of Activated Carbon *ilters- Continued

"ctivated carbon layer F =ed volume

Guidelines Tec"nical Guidelines

)ain si+in! data 3 Activated carbon filter

2peration of an Activated Carbon *ilter Good 2perational 'ractices

&afet prere4ui reme nts

Good 2perational 'ractices- Continued

Good 2perational 'ractices- Continued

Good 2perational 'ractices- Continued

Tastes and odor s

.i!" pressure loss es

"ctions "dGust bac7!ash parameters ;i.e. air2!ater flo! rate<.

Tec"nical Data &"eet

Activated carb on pres sure vess el

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