May 10, 2005
Aaron Archer presents his MSEE Technical Report final oral defense on May 11th at 9:00am in 1304 McGavran-Greenberg. Full details follow.An Evaluation of the Influence of SUVA on the Removal of TOC and TOX Precursors by Enhanced Coagulation Based on Laboratory Studies and an Analysis of the ICR Database

The objective of this research was to examine relationships between specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) and the amenability of water to organics removal by enhanced coagulation, and to demonstrate that the extent of removal of total organic carbon (TOC), UV-absorbing organics, and disinfection by-product precursors is a function of the raw water SUVA value. Enhanced coagulation is considered to be the Best Available Technology for the removal of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors. Enhanced coagulation is also mandated by the Stage 1 Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products Rule, whereby specific TOC removal requirements are prescribed for the control of unidentified halogenated DBPs of potential public health concern. Theory and previous studies suggest that SUVA (defined as UV254 normalized with respect to dissolved organic carbon) is a useful indicator of the characteristics of dissolved organic matter in relation to its amenability to removal by coagulation and its reactivity with chlorine. Data collected and assimilated under the Information Collection Rule, the largest nationwide water quality survey ever conducted, were analyzed to investigate the association between raw water SUVA values and the removal of organics by utilities when grouped with respect to their position in the Enhanced Coagulation matrix. Thereafter, twenty-seven waters were collected from different utilities across the U.S. for laboratory analysis and experimentation to verify and expand on the findings from the Information Collection Rule database analysis. Three waters were obtained for each element of the 3×3 enhanced coagulation matrix. Jar tests were performed on each of the waters to determine the requisite alum dose for TOC removal in accordance with the enhanced coagulation Guidance Manual. Each of the waters was then treated with the requisite alum dose and subsequently chlorinated under uniform formation conditions, along with the corresponding raw water, to examine the impact of source water quality and enhanced coagulation on the reduction in total organic halide (TOX) formation potential of the water.

Committee:
Advisor: Dr. Phillip C. Singer
Readers: Dr. Greg Characklis
Dr. Fran DiGiano

For further information please contact Rebecca Riggsbee Lloyd by email at Rebecca_Lloyd@unc.edu

 

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