Abstract :
Treatment of contaminated water and wastewater with air stripping, biological systems and/or granular activated carbon are well-documented, conventional approaches. However, the use of powdered activated carbon in these treatment applications is increasing because of the superior performance and operational flexibility that powdered activated carbon can provide.
The growing data base documents the reliability and flexibility of the technology. By merging biological and physical treatment into a single process step, the system is able to buffer toxic loads which might otherwise impair a straight biological system and reduce the amount of carbon otherwise needed by a straight adsorption treatment system.
The PACT system is discussed in detail, with emphasis on groundwater and industrial wastewater treatment. Case studies include treatment of BETX contaminated groundwater and industrial applications for a refinery and two different petrochemical applications.
