Removal of organics and viruses using hybrid ceramic MF system without draining PAC

Ceramic microfiltration combined with powdered activated carbon adsorption (PAC-MF) was tested for organic and microbial control using river water laden with sewerage effluents. The PAC-MF was compactly configured with PAC adsorption and MF filtration zones in one reactor. It was operated with PAC addition of 20 g/L at the beginning without PAC drain. Organic matter was largely removed in the adsorption zone and then additional removal was obtained in the filtration zone. Selective adsorption of hydrophobic organic compounds onto PAC resulted in greater UV₂₆₀ removal of 90.3 ± 3.2% than DOC removal of 80.2 ± 8.6%. Efficient organic control of the PAC-MF onsiderably decreased chlorine consumption to less than 0.5 ± 0.08 mg/L, and thus THMFP was brought down to less than 8.8 ± 2.2 μg/L in permeate. Furthermore, adsorption or attraction potential of microorganisms by PAC addition as well as virus capture in the PAC cake layer also assisted ceramic MF to remove viruses to less than detection limit after 60 days of operation. Therefore, the hybrid PAC-MF is a prospective advanced water treatment process that is capable of simultaneous organic and microbial removal by adsorption and filtration mechanisms.