Effect of granular activated carbon on percent retention of humic acid and permeate flux in GAC/UF membrane process

In this study, an attempt has been made to produce portable water having low concentrations of natural organic matter. First, the adsorption parameters of granular activated carbon (GAC) were determined by batch experiments. Fixed bed experiments were performed for the determination of GAC column parameters. To evaluate the effect of GAC filter on membrane parameters, the GAC filter was connected with ultrafiltration (UF) membrane pilot plant. Higher percent retentions and permeate fluxes were observed for GAC/UF hybrid process as compared to UF process alone. With GAC about 17.5%, high retention of humic acid was observed. UF membrane system was operated in dead-end mode with transmembrane pressure of 0.8bar. The back washing duration for GAC/UF hybrid process was lower than that of UF operation alone.