Mesoporous structure regulation of activated carbons and effects on the synergistic efficacy of synchronous adsorption and bio-degradation in biological activated carbon process

Mesoporous activated carbon MCGL-4 was tailored for simultaneous enhancement of adsorption and bio-degradation by multistage depth-activation (MDA). Synergistic efficacy of synchronous adsorption and bio-degradation was evaluated in pilot-scale bio-enhanced activated carbon (BEAC) system. Results identified that MCGL-4 obtains synchronously well-developed meso- (0.7605 cm(3)/g), micro- (0.2655 cm(3)/g) and macro-porous (0.143 cm(3)/g) structures. Higher volume during 20.4-208.2 angstrom (0.6848 cm(3)/g) ensured higher adsorption capacities for natural organic matters (NOM). The initial immobilized biomass and stabilities on MCGL-4 were also significantly promoted. Rapid small-scale column tests system (RSSCTs) tests showed that adsorption capacities for humic-like organics were 67,725.32 mg center dot DOC/(kg center dot carbon) at 39.50 m(3)center dot H2O/(kg center dot carbon). In BEAC system, MCGL-4 achieved higher removal efficiency for fulvic acid, humic acid and aromatic organic matters than commercial carbons. At 39.50 m(3)center dot H2O/(kg center dot carbon), cumulative uptake of organic-pollutants achieved by MCGL-4 was 94,850.51 mg center dot DOC/(kg center dot carbon). The proportion occupied by bio-degradation were 31,674.70 mg center dot DOC/(kg center dot carbon). It also confirmed that bio-degradation ability was much higher than commercial carbons after mesoporous structures regulation by MDA process.