Evaluation of Common Granular Activated Carbon Parameters for Trace Contaminant Removal

Abstract

It is well understood what properties of activated carbon are mostly responsible for removal of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) because MIB is a commonly studied trace organic contaminant. Five commercially available granular activated carbons (GACs) were evaluated for MIB removal using rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs). MIB breakthrough curves were examined and showed that a chemically activated wood-based carbon outperformed bituminous and lignite-based activated carbons. However, GAC parameters often included in purchasing decisions did not correlate with MIB removal. Therefore, the best method for selecting GAC is performance-based testing.