An application of biological activated carbon to treat biogenic taste/odour compounds

This is a PhD project to monitor the adsorptive capacity of aged granular activated carbon (GAC) for biogenic taste and odour (T&O) compounds; explore biofilm formation on GAC that leads to biological activated carbon (BAC) and measure BAC capacity for biodegradation of T&O; and develop a model to predict when GAC/BAC reach exhaustion in terms of T&O removal.

Algae are increasingly challenging the capacity of drinking water treatment plants to meet water quality guidelines due to the release of taste and odour (T&O) metabolites. GAC/BAC are often used to remove these compounds.

However, several knowledge gaps remain relating to selection of carbon type, biofilm formation, and carbon aging. Furthermore, development of a model to predict adsorptive performance, time taken to reach carbon exhaustion, and breakthrough of T&O compounds would lead to major cost savings for the water industry.