Abstract
The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of different adsorption/desorption properties and biodegradability of chemicals on the performance of powdered activated carbon (PACT) processes. The higher performance was observed in the PACT process than the activated sludge process for the substances with high adsorbability (3,5-DCP and 3-BP). Biodegradation occurred continuously after shock loading for substances with desorbability and biodegradability (3-BP and BAA). Due to the continuous degradation of desorbed substance after shock loading, total amount of substance removed by biodegradation in the PACT process was larger than the activated sludge process for the substances with high adsorbability, desorbability and biodegradability (3-BP).
