EPA Plan to remove PFAS "Activated Carbon"

 Activated carbon treatment is the most studied treatment for the PFAS removal.  Activated carbon is commonly used to adsorb natural organic compounds, taste and odor compounds and synthetic organic chemicals in drinking water treatment systems.  Adsorption is both physical and chemical process of accumulating a substance such as PFAS, at the interface between liquid and solids phases.  Activated carbon is an effective adsorbent because it is a highly porous material and provides a large surface area to which contaminates may absorb. (Now keep in mind the other contaminates that will be adsorb.  This will take up surface area of the carbon shell.)  Activated Carbon is made from organic materials with high carbon contents such as wood, lignite and coal. (GAC = Granular Activated Carbon)

GAC has been shown to effectively remove PFAS from drinking water when it is used in a flow through filter mode AFTER particulates have already been removed.  ( This means hard water and iron. )  EPA research has found GAC to be 100% effective for a period of time, depending on the type of carbon used and the depth of the bed of carbon, flow rate of the water.! ( STOP) This means that using this as a method for a municipal water system is IMPOSSIBLE!   

Also what must be considered is the types of PFAS needed to be removed, the temperature of the water and the type of organic matter as well as other contaminants. 


More to come.....





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