Simultaneous removal of particles and dissolved organic matter in floating media filter for surface water treatment

This research investigated the performance of floating media filter in removing particles and dissolved organic matter from surface water. Pilot-scale study consists of floating plastic media pre-filter connected with either granular activated carbon (GAC) or sponge biological filter (BF) bed. In the floating plastic media filter, coagulation and flocculation processes using poly-aluminum chloride (PACl) as coagulant at an Optimum dose of 8 mg/L helped removing particles from raw water. The floating media filter was operated a filtration rate of 11 m(3)/m(2) h whereas those in GAC and BF units were maintained at 2 m(3)/m(2).h. Continuous operation for over 1.20 days gave 98% and 99% average removal efficiencies of turbidity and UV 254 in floating media filter in combination with GAC unit whereas and 78% and 52% removal efficiencies of turbidity and UV 254 removal were obtained in floating media filter in combination with BE The removal of dissolved organic carbon in GAC and BF units reduced chlorine demand for disinfection by 29% and 14%. It could also reduce the sum of trihalomethane (THMs) ratio from 1.1 to 0.1 and 0.5 respectively.