Removal of organic matter by coagulation enhanced with adsorption on PAC

The removal of humic acids and phenol from model solution by coagulation and adsorption on powdered activated carbon (PAC) was investigated. A PAX XL-69 polyaluminum chloride was applied as a coagulant. The adsorption of humic acids and phenol on activated carbon for single- and bi- component solutions was studied. It was found that coagulation without PAC addition was less effective than the adsorption-coagulation integrated system. Coagulation enhanced with adsorption on activated carbon was more effective when coagulation was preceded by adsorption than when the two processes were carried out simultaneously. The best results were obtained at pH 7. Phenol and color were removed completely, UV254 absorbance was reduced by about 99% and COD-Mn was reduced by 81-89%.