A high efficiency activated carbon granule will be developed for drinking water treatment. The foundation for this high efficiency granule is a superactivated carbon with a BET surface area in excess of 3000 m2/gm using the standard procedure by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller, and an iodine number greater than 3000 mg/g. Two granulation technologies will be explored: spherical agglomeration and extrusion. The granulated powder will be evaluated for adsorption performance both in an equilibrium test, via adsorption isotherms, and a dynamic test using a mini- adsorption column. Three chemicals, identified by the EPA as serious water contaminants, will be used in the development program: chloroform, trichloroethylene, and benzene. The adsorption performance will be assessed with both single and multi-component solutions. Regeneration of the spent carbon and activation procedures will also be investigated.If successful, a high efficiency drinking water-treatment carbon will achieve high levels of contaminant removal and last longer before its adsorption capacity is exhausted.
