Investigation on the Key Factors and the Solution for pH Value Decrease in Carbon Filter in O3-BAC Process

An investigation was carried out to eliminate the decrease of effluent pH value in carbon filter in O3-biological activated carbon process. The influence factors were examined in a pilot test, and pH was adjusted in the pilot and waterworks. Results show that the carbon filter is an acid-base buffer system and the activated carbon is the key factor. Chemical functional groups on activated carbon surface present acid-base properties to buffer the water but decrease with time, so that effluent pH value decreases. The effects of ozone dosage, CO2 in the carbon filter, and the filter influent quality are negligible. A new method to adjust pH is developed: the activated carbon is first modified by soaking in sodium hydroxide solution to make its pH reach the desired value, and then the pH value of inflow is controlled to certain value by dosing lime in sand filter influent. The method is economical and effective.