Technical Bulletin

Water

DECHLORINATION OF WATER WITH Norit

GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON

1. DECHLORINATION, THE PROCESS

1.1. Disinfection of process water

Process water treatment often includes disinfection by chlorine, which is TB 58/02-03
dosed as chlorine gas or sodium hypochlorite solution. After a certain contact
time, the residual chlorine - concentrations in the 0.5 up to 5 mg/l range - has
to be removed from the process water, usually by granular activated carbon
(GAC) filtration. The use of GAC columns is widely applied:
to avoid the presence of chlorine, undesired dissolved organics and
taste & odour in the product water of bottling and brewing plants
to protect chlorine sensitive membranes in industrial water treatment. 05-07

Full scale dechlorination filter with Norit GAC

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In some cases, alternative disinfectants are used, like chloramines, ozone and chlorine dioxide. During
chlorination by-products are formed, due to reaction of chlorine with organics; an important group of by-
products are the trihalomethanes (THMs).

THM s, by-products of chlorinatiog water

1.2. Dechlorination, how does it work?

At typical pH levels encountered in process water (typically ranging from pH 6 to 9), chlorine is in a pH
dependent equilibrium:
- +
HOCl + H20 OCl + H3O
-
The free chlorine concentration is defined as the sum of concentrations HOCl and OCl (in mg/l, mmol/l or
ppm).
GAC is typically used for removal of dissolved organics by adsorption; e.g. THMs are removed this way. In
case of dechlorination, it is not adsorption, but a chemical reaction which removes the free chlorine from the
water.
C* represents the surface of the activated carbon in the following reaction:
+ -
HOCl + C* + H20 H30 + Cl + C*O

The so-called dechlorination halving value of a specific GAC grade gives an indication of the rate of
dechlorination: the bed depth (cm) required to halve the initial free chlorine concentration, measured under
standard conditions. The lower the halving value, the more rapid the chlorine reduction.

1.3. Factors affecting the dechlorination rate

Under practical conditions, the dechlorination kinetics depend on several key factors:
pH of water: HOCl is a stronger oxidant than OCl ; a lower pH tends to speed up the dechlorination
reaction (see figure next page)
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halving value (cm)

6

1
T=20 C
0
6 7 8 9 10 11

pH

Dechlorination halving value depending on pH, Norit ROW 0.8 SUPRA

Water temperature: the dechlorination reaction rate increases at higher temperatures

(see figure below)

5
halving value (cm)

pH=7.5
0
10 15 20 25 30

temperature (C)

Temperature effect on the dechlorination rate, Norit ROW 0.8 SUPRA

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Filter design: key element is the empty bed contact time (EBCT), which amounts to 5-15 min.
typically in practice.
GAC grade: several relevant criteria apply when selecting a GAC grade (see section 3).

2 DECHLORINATION IN PRACTICE

2.1. Filling and commissioning a filter vessel

Norit GAC is delivered in bags, big bags or - in some cases - in bulk. Before filling, the filter vessel has to be
cleaned, disinfected and checked for any leaking. Typically, GAC is loaded directly over the filter nozzles, on
condition that these nozzles have the right split width. Alternatively, supporting layers of gravel are installed;
e.g. gravel 5-8 mm and 2-4 mm.

The filter is then filled with the required volume of Norit GAC. During filling, correct working procedures
should be followed to eliminate microbial contamination. Care should be taken to leave enough space above
the GAC bed in order to allow for proper backwashing at 20-30 % bed expansion.
For further information, see also Norit TB 41A: Commissioning Norit Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
adsorbers for Aqueous Liquidphase Applications.

2.2. Sanitising a GAC filter bed

Especially in the bottling industry and in breweries, microbial growth in GAC filter beds is an undesired
phenomenon. Therefore, GAC filters are "sanitised" on a regular basis, typically every 1 to 7 days. The
following methods are applied for this purpose.

a. Steaming
Generally the preferred method, if facilities are available and if the filter vessel is temperature proof. Before
steaming, the GAC filter bed should be backwashed and drained. Steam is added in downward direction.
When the GAC bed is completely heated, steaming is continued for one hour. Typically, the steam
o
temperature amounts to 105-110 C.
When steaming is completed, the filter bed is then re-filled with water, filtration is started and the effluent is
checked for fines. When the effluent is clear, the filter is ready for use again.

Apart from disinfection, steaming also forces desorption of THMs from the GAC, resulting in an in situ
regeneration of the GAC for these compounds.

b. Hot water rinse

Again, the filter vessel has to be temperature proof, and again, the procedure starts with a regular backwash.
o
Next, hot water (90-95 C) is flushed through the bed at 6-10 BV/h during 1 h. It is advised to measure the
water temperature in the drain, in order to check proper heating of the GAC bed.
Following the hot water flush, the filter bed is ready for use.
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c. Superchlorination
If steam or hot water facilities are not available, and/or if the filter vessel cannot endure high temperatures,
"superchlorination" is applied. The procedure starts with a backwash; after draining the GAC bed, a 150 mg/l
free chlorine solution is quickly pumped into the filter, and left for 30-60 min. Next, the filter bed should be
backwashed again before it is ready for use; the backwash water may be strongly coloured, due to release of
oxidised carbon particles.

2.3. Backwashing GAC filters

Filters are typically backwashed once in 1-3 days, or more frequently if required due to e.g. pressure drop
increase. Preferably, chlorinated water is used. Norit GAC grades are properly backwashed with a 20-25 %
bed expansion during a
10-15 min. period.
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For details of hydrodynamic properties (pressure drop, backwashing behaviour) of Norit grades, please refer
to Norit TB 79: Hydrodynamic properties of Norit Granular Activated Carbon grades.
See also the examples in the figures below.

Pressure drop at different temperatures of Norit GAC 40S

Backwashing curve at different temperatures of Norit GAC 40S

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3. GAC GRADES AND SERVICE LIFE

3.1. Which GAC grade to select?

Several key criteria apply when selecting the right Norit grade for dechlorination filters:
Dechlorination capacity
The smaller the particle size, the more rapid the dechlorination kinetics, as e.g. indicated by the
dechlorination halving value.
Pressure drop
A lower pressure drop is achieved if the GAC particle size is larger and/or more uniform.
Generally, an extruded GAC grade has a very low pressure drop.
Backwashing rate
The required backwashing rate increases with increasing particle size.
Adsorption properties for THMs
Both GAC s adsorption properties and behaviour during in situ regeneration (esp. steaming) are
important, if THMs are an issue.
Purity/pH
If an extremely high purity and/or neutral pH are required, e.g acid washed GAC grades are
preferred.

Norit s main grades for dechlorination filters are surveyed in the table below.

The main grades of Norit GAC for use in dechlorination filters

Issue Main Norit grade

Low pressure drop ROW 0.8 SUPRA, PK 1-3
High dechlorination kinetics (*) GAC 40S, GAC 1240, GCN 1240
THM-adsorption GAC 40S, GCN 1240
Adsorption of broad specter of organics ROW 0.8 SUPRA, GAC 1240
Low density GAC PK 1-3
Acid washed/pH neutral grades ROX 0.8, GAC 1240 PLUS

(*) Grades with smaller particle size and more rapid dechlorination kinetics are available (note: strongly
affects pressure drop).
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The required backwashing rate for the Norit main grades is surveyed in the table below.
(backwashing rate is v.)

Required backwashing rate for the Norit main grades.

V = 15-25 m/h V 25m/h

GAC 40S ROW 0.8 SUPRA
GAC 1240 PK 1-3
GCN 1240 GAC 830
GAC 1240 PLUS GCN 830
ROX 0.8

3.2. GAC service life

Obviously, the service life of GAC filters depends on factors like filter design, GAC grade applied and
treatment objectives. In practice, the service life for dechlorination amounts to 1-3 years. Adsorptive removal
of THM s is limited to 2-4 months only; however, regular steaming, if applied, extends the service life for THM
removal, as it acts like an in situ regeneration.
A number of soft drink plants and breweries undertake the policy to replace the GAC each year. It is
advisable to keep a replacement stock of Norit GAC for safety reasons. This replacement stock should be
stored in its original packing on a dry, clean place, free from volatile compounds and odours. In this way, the
GAC can be kept for at least 5 years.

Note: All data and suggestions regarding the use of our products are believed to be reliable and given in good faith. However, they are given
without guarantee, as the use of our products is beyond our control, and are not to be construed as recommendation or instigation to violate any
existing patent. Any product quality information given was valid at the time of issuance of the publication. However, we maintain a policy of
continuous development and reserve the right to amend product quality aspects without notice.

Caution: For health and safety related aspects of a Norit activated carbon, please refer to the corresponding Material Safety Datasheet (MSDS),
which is available on request.

This Technical Bulletin (Issue 05-07) replaces previous issues.