Abstract
Abstract
In this project, a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter was evaluated for treating stormwater containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The effects of empty bed contact time (EBCT) and backwashing on PCB transport were evaluated by operating two GAC column experiments in parallel for three backwash cycles. Both columns were effective in removing particles and PCBs from the stormwater. Backwashing of the GAC columns effectively removed the colloidal fraction of the stormwater, which was trapped between the GAC particles, and thus enhanced the life of the GAC filter bed. Results from a mathematical model showed no significant effect of EBCT at the given experimental conditions; however, evaluating a wider range of conditions showed that the breakthrough time of total PCBs as well as all chlorination levels increases with increasing the EBCT.