In this work, the physico-chemical, olfactometric and textural characterization of granular activated carbon (GAC) from the odor adsorbent beds of an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), as well as the chromatographic quantification of the retained odoriferous compounds, were carried out.
These techniques allowed an integral evaluation of such adsorbent material, which came from the deodorization at four stages of integral wastewater treatment (pretreatment header: GAC-1; sand and fat removal: GAC-2; sludge thickening: GAC-3; sludge dewatering: GAC-4).
P. Márquez 1 *, A. Benítez 2 , Á. Caballero 2 , J.A. Siles 1 and M.A. Martín 1
1. Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Chemical Engineering Area, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
2. Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University Institute of Nanochemistry, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
Competing interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist.
Academic editor: Carlos N. Díaz.
Content quality: This paper has been peer reviewed by at least two reviewers. See scientific committee here.
Citation: P. Márquez, A. Benítez , Á. Caballero , J.A. Siles, M.A. Martín, 2021, Comprehensive evaluation of granular activated carbon from a wastewater treatment plant deodorisation and regeneration system for subsequent reuse, 9th IWA Odours & VOC/Air Emission Conference, Bilbao, Spain, www.olores.org.
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ISBN: 978-84-09-37032-0
Keywords: multi-technical analysis, adsorbent beds, odor, oxidative thermal regeneration, valorization.
Abstract
In this work, the physico-chemical, olfactometric and textural characterization of granular activated carbon (GAC) from the odor adsorbent beds of an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), as well as the chromatographic quantification of the retained odoriferous compounds, were carried out.
These techniques allowed an integral evaluation of such adsorbent material, which came from the deodorization at four stages of integral wastewater treatment (pretreatment header: GAC-1; sand and fat removal: GAC-2; sludge thickening: GAC-3; sludge dewatering: GAC-4). A higher amount of retained compounds was found in GAC-1 and GAC-2 samples, after one year of continuous operation. Moreover, some variables such as the removed specific odor concentration (ouE/m3·g) and free micropore volume (cm3/g) were inversely correlated (R2 = 0.9945).
Regarding the contribution to the global odor, sulfurcontaining compounds were the major odor contributors (61–97%) in all the samples analyzed. Once the GAC characterization was evaluated, the thermal regeneration of GAC-1 and GAC-4 was also carried out in an oxidizing atmosphere (air), avoiding the use of a high-cost inert atmosphere. It was demonstrated that the regeneration conditions depended on the nature and concentration of the adsorbed compounds, while the regeneration mentioned above allowed the recovery of the GAC’s original properties, including microporosity. Therefore, the oxidative thermal regeneration at temperatures no higher than 350 ºC can be a simple and sustainable alternative to revalue GAC used as deodorizing filler in WWTPs.
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