Removal of disinfection by-products precursors by polyaluminum chloride coagulation coupled with chlorination

The effect of coagulation coupled with chlorination (i.e., pre-, inter-, and post-chlorination) on the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) and the removal efficiency of DBPs precursors were investigated. Compared with coagulation coupling with pre-chlorination, coagulation coupled with inter-chlorination could lead a higher removal efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) and chloroacetic acids formation potential (CAAsFP). The CAAsFP/DOC value of residual DOC showed that coagulation with inter-chlorination has a beneficial effect on CAAs precursors removal. More DBPs were produced during inter-chlorination than that of pre-chlorination at pH 7.5, while less DBPs were produced during inter-chlorination than that of pre-chlorination at pH 5.5. In addition, the precipitate of humic acid (HA) after coagulation was chlorinated to study the kinetics of chlorine decay. The results showed that coagulated-HA had a higher reactivity with chlorine than aqueous-HA at pH 7.5. Furthermore, the trends of zeta potential during coagulation process suggested that the distribution of chlorine species had significant influence on the removing of DBPs precursors by coagulation coupled with chlorination.