This paper presents the results of a laboratory study on the effectiveness of the coagulation process in removing surfactants from water. The application of traditional coagulants (aluminium sulfate and iron chlorides) has not brought satisfactory results, the reduction in anionic surfactant (AS) content reached 7.6% and 10%, respectively. Adding cationic polyelectrolyte (Zetag-50) increased the removal efficiency to 24%. Coagulation using a polyelectrolyte alone proved to be more efficient, the reduction in surfactant content fluctuated at a level of about 50%. Complete surfactant removal was obtained when powdered activated carbon was added 5 minutes before the basic coagulant to the coagulation process. The efficiency of surfactant coagulation also increased after the application of powdered clinoptilolite, but to a smaller degree. Then the removal of AS was found to be improved by dosing powdered clinoptilolite simultaneously or with short delay after the addition of the basic coagulant.

The article presents research results of the introduction of powdery activated carbon to the existing technological system of the groundwater treatment stations in a laboratory, pilot plant and technical scale. The aim of the research was to reduce the content of organic compounds found in the treated water, which create toxic organic chlorine compounds (THM) after disinfection with chlorine. Nine types of powdery active carbons were tested in laboratory scale. The top two were selected for further study. Pilot plant scale research was carried out for the filter model using CWZ-30 and Norit Sa Super carbon. Reduction of the organic matter in relation to the existing content in the treated water reached about 30%. Research in technical scale using CWZ-30 carbon showed a lesser efficiency with respect to laboratory and pilot-plant scale studies. The organic matter decreased by 15%. Since filtration is the last process before the individual disinfection, an alternative solution is proposed, i.e. the second stage of filtration with a granular activated carbon bed, operating in combined sorption and biodegradation processes. The results of tests carried out in pilot scale were fully satisfactory with the effectiveness of 70–100%.

The paper presents the results of laboratory tests on possibilities to utilize active carbons produced in Poland (AG-5 and DTO) and clinoptilolite for removing naphthalene from a water solution in the adsorption process. The concentration of naphthalene in the model solution was 20 mg/dm³. The effects of pH, dose and adsorption time were determined under static conditions. Adsorption kinetics were consistent with the pseudo-second-order model (PSO). Among the applied models, the best fit was obtained using the Langmuir isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity for the activated carbons (AG-5 and DTO) equaled 24.57 and 30.28 mg/g, respectively. For clinoptilolite, all the analyzed models of adsorption poorly described the adsorption process. The flow conditions were realized by filtration method. On the basis of the obtained results, the breakthrough curves, so-called isoplanes, were prepared and served in turn to determine the adsorption capacities in flow conditions. The total adsorption capacities determined under dynamic conditions of the AG-5 and DTO activated carbons were 85.63 and 94.54 mg/g, respectively, and only 2.72 mg/g for clinoptilolite. The exit curves (isoplanes) were also utilized to determine the mass penetration zone (the adsorption front height), as well as to calculate the rate of mass-exchange zone advance.

The paper presents the research of adsorptive properties of activated carbons to chromium (VI) removal from the water solution. Different types of carbon were investigated: WD-ekstra (WDA), WD-ekstra modified by salt acid WD(HCl) and nitrogen acid WD(HNO₃). The adsorption kinetics, influence reaction, temperature and kind of carbon were determined using static methods. The adsorption of chromium (VI) onto all activated carbons was most efficient at pH 2. The time of adsorption balance for carbon WD(HCl) was 2.5 h and for carbon WDA 4.5 h. The influence of carbon modification and temperature on the effectiveness of adsorption of hexavalent chromium was determined on the basis of the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The research showed that the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) increased with the increasing temperature of the solution. The most efficient adsorbent in static conditions was found on WD-ekstra modified by HCl. The adsorbent applied in dynamic conditions as the filtration bed (v = 2 m/h, time of retention T_R = 420 s, initial concentration C₀ = 1 mg/dm³), it removed chromium (VI) from water very effectively. Adsorption capacities after exhaustion of the bed were obtained at P_{eWD (HCl)} = 4.35 mg/g. On the basis of executed research, chromium ions were successfully eliminated onto modified carbon WD(HCl) that makes its employment capabilities in the systems purification of water.

The paper presents the results of laboratory tests concerning the possibility of utilizing activated carbon produced in Poland and nonconventional adsorbents, such as modified Clarion clay and clinoptylolite, for removing organic phenol from water. The effect of contact time and pH of the model solution on the adsorption process was assessed during tests conducted under static conditions. A contact time of 30 min was considered as optimum, and the highest efficiency of the adsorption process was achieved using a pH of 7.0. Adsorbent doses affected the course and effectiveness of the adsorption process. The adsorption processes were best described by the Freundlich isotherm. On the basis of the isotherms, the adsorptive capacity of tested adsorbents was calculated. Activated carbon had an adsorptive capacity of 13.22 g/kg, modified Clarion clay 1.24 g/kg, and clinoptylolite 0.23 g/kg. The through-flow conditions were achieved by column filtration. On the basis of breakthrough curves, the adsorptive capacities were higher than those determined through static conditions, namely 61.23, 23.56, and 2.99 g/kg for activated carbon, modified Clarion clay, and clinoptylolite, respectively. Despite their inferior adsorptive characteristics, the modified Clarion clay and clinoptylolite may be applied in filtration systems prior to filters with activated carbon.Key words: phenol, adsorption process, activated carbon, modified clay, clinoptylolite.

The article describes the research on the removal of organic matter from natural underground water using biofiltration process. The study was carried out in semi-technical scale on a model filter composed of activated carbon WD-extra. The development of biological activity in a biosorption bed,...