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University of North Texas

Removal of selected water disinfection byproducts, and MTBE in batch and continuous flow systems using alternative sorbents.

Abstract

dc:description

A study was conducted to evaluate the sorption characteristics of six disinfection byproducts (DBPs) on four sorbents. To investigate sorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specially designed experimental batch and continuous flow modules were developed. The investigated compounds included: chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), bromate and bromide ions. Sorbents used included light weight aggregate (LWA), an inorganic porous material with unique surface characteristics, Amberlite® XAD-16, a weakly basic anion exchange resin, Amberjet®, a strongly basic anion exchange resin, and granular activated carbon (GAC). Batch experiments were conducted on spiked Milli-Q® and lake water matrices. Results indicate considerable sorption of TCE (68.9%), slight sorption of bromate ions (19%) and no appreciable sorption for the other test compounds on LWA. The sorption of TCE increased to 75.3% in experiments utilizing smaller LWA particle size. LWA could be a viable medium for removal of TCE from contaminated surface or groundwater sites. Amberlite® was found unsuitable for use due to its physical characteristics, and its inability to efficiently remove any of the test compounds. Amberjet® showed an excellent ability to remove the inorganic anions (>99%), and BDCM (96.9%) from aqueous solutions but with considerable elevation of pH. Continuous flow experiments evaluated GAC and Amberjet® with spiked Milli-Q® and tap water matrices. The tested organic compounds were sorbed in the order of their hydrophobicity. Slight elevation of pH was observed during continuous flow experiments, making Amberjet® a viable option for removal of BDCM, bromate and bromide ions from water. The continuous flow experiments showed that GAC is an excellent medium for removal of the tested VOCs and bromate ion. Each of the test compounds showed different breakthrough and saturation points. The unique design of the continuous flow apparatus used in the study proved to be highly beneficial to assess removal of volatile organic compounds from aqueous solutions.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
University of North Texas
Year dc:date
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Kadry, Ahmed Y.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Saleh, Farida
  • Dickson, Kenneth L.
  • Atkinson, Samuel F.
  • Acevedo, Miguel F.
  • Hudak, Paul F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 12

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Use restricted to UNT Community
  • Copyright
  • Kadry, Ahmed Y.
  • Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Language dc:language
English

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
oclc: 52050953
untcat: b2495407
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3285/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3285
OAI identifier oai:identifier
info:ark/67531/metadc3285

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of North Texas
Base URL
digital.library.unt.edu/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Kadry, Ahmed Y.. Removal of selected water disinfection byproducts, and MTBE in batch and continuous flow systems using alternative sorbents.. University of North Texas, 2002. https://doi.org/10.12794/metadc3285