GAC treatment for PFAS, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other emerging contaminants of concern
CFD, P&ID, SCADA and commissioning for critical water treatment plants.
Plant layouts, piping isometrics and construction-ready engineering drawings.
Flow, mixing and thermal CFD across treatment and process equipment.
Full mechanical, physico-chemical, biological and sludge equipment range.
Emerging contaminants are substances recently identified in water sources that may pose risks to human health or the env
Wastewater streams frequently carry organic loads 5-50x higher than domestic sewage, demanding robust biological or physical-chemical treatment capacity.
Temperature, pH, flow, and concentration swings between production shifts create treatment instability without proper equalisation and buffering.
Shock loads, toxins, or pH extremes can kill beneficial biomass. Protection mechanisms like equalisation and pH correction are essential.
High FOG content causes pipe blockage, flotation cell failure, and membrane fouling. Effective pre-treatment prevents downstream operational issues.
Variable chemical composition from cleaning agents, process chemicals, and raw materials requires adaptable treatment chemistry and dosing control.
Discharge consents are tightening continuously. Treatment must not only meet current limits but accommodate future reductions without major rebuild.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds make them resistant to degradation, earning them the nickname"forever chemicals." Common PFAS include:
GAC effectively removes long-chain PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) with proper system design. Removal efficiency depends on carbon type, EBCT, and PFAS chain length.
Short-chain PFAS (C4-C6) are more difficult to remove with GAC due to their higher water solubility and smaller molecular size. Removal rates may be 50-80% compared to 95-99% for long-chain compounds. For sites with significant short-chain PFAS, consider:
PFAS regulations are evolving rapidly. The US EPA has established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 ng/L for PFOA and PFOS individually. The EU Drinking Water Directive sets a limit of 100 ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS compounds. GAC is a proven BAT (Best Available Technology) for PFAS compliance.
PPCP Removal with GAC
Pharmaceuticals enter water sources through human excretion, improper disposal, and manufacturing discharge. Common compounds include antibiotics, hormones, analgesics, and psychiatric medications. GAC can effectively remove many of these compounds, though removal efficiency varies significantly by compound.
| Compound Class | Examples | GAC Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Sulfamethoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin | 70-95% |
| Analgesics | Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Diclofenac | 80-99% |
| Hormones | Estradiol, Ethinyl estradiol, Testosterone | 85-99% |
| Psychiatric | Carbamazepine, Diazepam, Fluoxetine | 75-95% |
| Lipid regulators | Bezafibrate, Clofibric acid | 60-85% |
| X-ray contrast | Iopromide, Iomeprol | 30-60% |
Personal care products including fragrances, sunscreen agents, and preservatives are increasingly detected in water sources. GAC removal effectiveness varies:
GAC Treatment Effectiveness
Optimising GAC for Emerging Contaminants
For emerging contaminants, longer empty bed contact times are typically required compared to conventional applications:
Lead-lag configuration is strongly recommended for emerging contaminants to maximise carbon utilisation and ensure consistent effluent quality:
Not all activated carbons perform equally for emerging contaminants:
For emerging contaminants, pilot testing is essential before full-scale design:
Discuss your specific requirements with our technical team and receive a tailored proposal for your project.
Contact UsContact our specialists to discuss pilot testing and system design for PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants at your facility.
Our expertise spans multiple industries with sector-specific water treatment solutions.