AWWA WQTC52782

In the past, activated alumina (AA) was the most commonly used absorbentfor arsenic removal. When the media is exhausted, it is regenerated using sodium hydroxide followed by acid neutralization. The regeneration step produces waste streams that require handling and disposal. A number of iron and aluminum based adsorbents recently have been developed to overcome these shortcomings of traditional AA. The American Water Works Association Research Foundation is sponsoring an ongoing project to demonstrate emerging technologies for arsenic removal including, but limited to, adsorption. This will be the firstlarge-scale, head-to-head comparison of a wide range of promising arsenic removal technologies operating year round at the same sites. At the sites where adsorption technology is beingdemonstrated, the emerging adsorbents being tested include granular ferric hydroxide, iron-modified AA, metal oxide composite alumina, and sulfur-modified iron. This paper focuses on the goals and objectives of the adsorbent pilot testing and the advantages of these emerging adsorbents over conventional adsorbents, especially with respect to waste disposal considerations and promising applications for small water systems. Includes figure.