Effects of phosphate and hydrogen peroxide on the performance of a biological activated carbon filter for enhanced biofiltration

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2020-04, Vol.388, p.121778, Article 121778
• Main Authors: Noh, Jin Hyung, Yoo, Song Hee, Son, Heejong, Fish, Katherine E., Douterelo, Isabel, Maeng, Sung Kyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biofilm; Biofilms - drug effects; Biofilms - growth & development; biological activated carbon; Biopolymers - metabolism; Charcoal; Filtration; hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - administration & dosage; phosphate; Phosphates - administration & dosage; Polyvinyl Chloride; Stainless Steel; Trihalomethanes - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121778

[Display omitted] •Less headloss observed in nutrient- and/or oxidant-enhanced biofilter.•Phosphate was successful in promoting bacterial growth but decreased EPS production.•No improvements were observed in the removal of DOC, THMFP, and selected TrOCs. Biofilm formation on biofilters can influence their hydraulic performance, thereby leading to head loss and an increase in energy use and costs for water utilities. The effects of a range of factors, including hydrogen peroxide and phosphate, on the performance of biological activated carbon (BAC) and biofilm formation were investigated using laboratory-scale columns. Head loss, total carbohydrates, and proteins were reduced in the nutrient-enhanced, oxidant-enhanced, and nutrient + oxidant-enhanced BAC filters. However, there were no changes in the removal of dissolved organic matter, trihalomethane formation potential, or selected trace organic contaminants. The biofilm formation on polyvinyl chloride and stainless steel coupons using the laboratory biofilm reactor system was lower when the effluent from a nutrient-enhanced column was used, which indicated that there was less biofilm formation in the distribution systems. This may have been because the effluent from the nutrient-enhanced column was more biologically stable. Therefore, enhanced biofiltration could be used not only to reduce head loss in biofilters, but also to delay biofilm formation in distribution systems.