Postsedimentation Application of Polyaluminum Chloride to Enhance Dual Media Filter Performance
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
The postsedimentation addition of polyaluminum chloride (PACl) was investigated as a means to enhance particle removal efficiency in dual media filtration. The process modification was evaluated in laboratory studies and at the Cornell Water Filtration Plant (CWFP). The PACl was continuously metered into CWFP filter influent to increase concentrations by (as aluminum) during the filter-to-waste stage of the filter operation cycle to accelerate filter ripening. Lower influent PACl concentrations ranging from were also continuously applied during filtration. In comparison to a control filter that received no PACl addition, the ripening time required decreased with PACl dose, and the incremental improvement in particle removal during filtration increased with PACl dose. The addition of of PACl (the lowest concentration tested) significantly reduced initial filter ripening time at the CWFP from 10–1.4 h, and effluent turbidity in the test filter over the 77 h filter run was lower than the control filter by an average of 17%. Incremental head loss increase caused by the PACl feed was dose dependent and was negligible for the lowest dosage tested.
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Acknowledgments
The research described in this paper was supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan, under the Grant of Postdoctoral Research Abroad Program. The authors thank the operators of the Cornell Water Filtration Plant, Mr. Tom Rapalee, Mr. Mark Vallely, Ms. Kathy Kline, and Mr. Mike Brown, for their great assistance and cooperation during the study period.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 612 - 617
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 10, 2011
Accepted: Sep 21, 2012
Published online: Sep 23, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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