Potable Water

Potable Water
Water professionals face a greater challenge today than ever before to deliver safe
drinking water. Regulations are becoming tighter and the number of contaminants
being regulated is growing. The pollutants of concern range from pesticides,
detergents, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals to residual oxidants such as
ozone and disinfection by-products. Norit
activated carbons are chosen everyday at
municipalities and private companies to help
water professionals meet regulations and deliver
water that is purer, safer and better tasting!

Why Norit - PAC and GAC, Multiple Raw Materials

The application of powder activated carbon (PAC) versus granular activated carbon (GAC) differs greatly, both
having their own advantages in the water treatment process. The raw material of the activated carbon also plays
an important role. The choice between bituminous, lignite, and wood often depends on water quality and
treatment objectives. Norit is the only domestic manufacturer to provide a choice of PAC and GAC products made
from multiple raw materials. For key features of both technologies see the tables below, and on pages 5 and 9.

Issue

PAC

GAC

Scope of compounds
Taste & odor
removed
Organic pollutants

Natural occurring organics

DBP precursors
(TOC, DOC, etc.)

Taste & odor

Organic pollutants
Phamaceutical micropollutants
Biodegradables (BDOC, AOC)
Suspended solids
Residual oxidants

Typical application


Achievable residual
concentration of
target compounds

Seasonal or incidental
water quality problems

Continuous need for

activated carbon treatment

Low

Low/very low

Treatment method


Regeneration

Coagulation/flocculation
Filtration (occasionally)

Dedicated adsorbers
Converted sandfilters

None
(used on one-time only basis)

Thermal reactivation

Systems required
Storage and dosing

equipment

Filter vessels
GAC transport/
handling facilities

Potable Water

GAC - State-of-the-Art Technology

GAC filtration is currently the state-of-the-art
technology in many water treatment plants. Norit
products are often used as the final step, either as a
filter cap or as a separate post-filter contactor. If ozone
is used as a pre-oxidant, then the bio-activity of the
GAC is enhanced, usually resulting in an increased
filter service time. Regardless of how the carbon is
applied, Norit can deliver the most appropriate GAC
that will result in optimum performance.

Treatment Objectives

Purity Requirements

Filter Types

Norit activated carbons meet the most stringent

requirements concerning purity and leaching behavior.
They comply with the US Food Chemicals Codex
requirements and meet NSF and AWWA standards.
Details are available upon request.

Around the world you will find GAC filters using Norit
products. Gravity filters are most common, but
pressure filters are used as well. Both post-filter
contactors and existing (mechanical and/or biological)
filters are used.

The major treatment objectives for GAC are the

removal of dissolved organics (both low and high
molecular weight), taste and odor causing compounds,
disinfection by-products, overall organics (DOC, TOC,
UV254 and constituents), biodegradable organics
(AOC and BDOC), pesticides and detergents, etc.
Additionally, GAC removes suspended solids and
residual oxidants such as chlorine and ozone.

Post-filter contactor
Filters designed to hold only GAC. Typically this is
the last polishing step in the treatment process
prior to the clearwell. Empty Bed Contact Time
(EBCT) is typically from 5-15 minutes.
Converted existing filters
Replacing anthracite with GAC, thus maintaining
the filtration properties of the filter while adding
the capability of adsorption, results in relatively
short EBCT of <10 minutes.

Why Norit - GAC for Potable Water

Norit is the only domestic manufacturer to produce GAC from both bituminous
and lignite raw materials so that you can be assured of optimal performance for
your treatment objectives.
Our promise - you never have to force fit a Norit carbon.

Norit GAC for Potable Water

Product

Molasses
Number

Iodine Effective Uniformity Raw

Number Size (mm) Coefficient Material

HYDRODARCO 816

400

650

1.4

1.3

Lignite Coal

HYDRODARCO 820

400

650

1.0

1.5

Lignite Coal

HYDRODARCO 3000

450

650

0.8

1.6

Lignite Coal

HYDRODARCO 4000

475

650

0.7

1.5

Lignite Coal

NORIT GAC 816

220

970

1.4

1.3

Bituminous Coal

NORIT GAC 820

220

970

1.1

1.4

Bituminous Coal

NORIT GAC 830

230

1000

1.0

1.7

Bituminous Coal

NORIT GAC 300

200

950

1.0

1.7

Bituminous Coal

NORIT GAC 400

200

1030

0.7

1.6

Bituminous Coal

NORIT GAC 1240

250

1060

0.7

1.6

Bituminous Coal

Potable Water

GAC Systems and Services

GAC Systems
A wide range of GAC contactors tailored to your specific needs
Contactors fabricated from stainless steel, carbon steel and FRP
Vessels designed for flow rates up to 500 gpm (multiple units used for larger flows)

Applications Services
Norit provides complete turnkey solutions ranging from design, procurement, on-site installation and
startup, to operator training and ongoing service. In addition, Norit will remove your spent activated
carbon. Thermal reactivation of GAC is generally the best disposal option, as compared to landfill, both
from an economical and environmental point of view.
Many water professionals rely on our application specialists and laboratories for
Set up and execution of lab or pilot studies
GAC performance/cost optimizations
GAC selection criteria
Analysis of GAC samples
Removal, reactivation and disposal of spent activated carbon

More than 9 percent

of the worlds
population is
consuming water
purified by Norit

PAC Treatment on Demand

PAC is widely used in potable water treatment for removal of color, taste & odor compounds (geosmin & MIB, etc.),
organic pollutants (such as pesticides), and micropollutants (such as endocrine disruptors). Additionally, Norit has
PACs that are particularly effective for reducing disinfection by-products such as TOC and DOC. The major strengths
of PAC for potable water purification are
Flexibility: Dose only when needed and vary according to actual needs
Performance: High efficiency for specific compounds. Its like having virgin GAC on demand!
Low investment costs: Storage and dosing equipment
Cost effectiveness

Treatment Objectives and PAC Properties

The chemical structures of typical target compounds differ markedly, as illustrated below. These compounds each
require a dedicated pore structure to provide efficient adsorption. Norits product range is designed to provide a
superior match of water treatment requirements to PAC properties (pore structure, particle size and purity). This
ensures you use less carbon to achieve maximum removal.

O
OH

OH

OH

CH3

C
C

CH3

C
C

C
C

CH3

CH3

C
C

NH
C

CH3

NH

CH3

Phenols

H3C

CH3

NH

Cyanotoxins

NH

O
C
NH
C

NH

Geosmin

Atrazine
CH3

H3C
C

C
C

HO

NH3
NH

CH3

C
C

CH3

H3C
CH3

HN
C

CH3

C
CH3

C
C

CH3

C
C

CH3

O
CH3

Isoproturon

OH

2-MIB

OH
CH3

NH

CH3

Potable Water

PAC Injection Sites

Rapid Mix
In its conventional application, PAC is dosed ahead of, or into, the coagulation/flocculation stage. The PAC is removed in the
settling basins or clarifiers. Contact times in the system may range from 0.5 2 hours or longer, depending on the plant
configuration.

Intake Treatment
An alternative dosing location is to add PAC near the raw water intake. This is effective in removing impurities that lead to
trihalomethane formation during the disinfection step. PAC addition at the intake can be beneficial even if only one or two
minutes of contact time are available before the rapid mix.

Ultrafiltration (UF)
In this recently developed process, PAC is dosed upstream of the UF system the PAC being separated from the water by the
membrane. Between successive backwashings, the PAC level in the system gradually increases inducing cross-flow filtration. PAC
residence time is up to 1 hour, depending on the backwashing frequency. Norits lignite PAC products are particularly well suited
for this application due to their less-abrasive characteristics.

Rapid Sand Filters (RSF)

PAC is dosed ahead of the RSF and is separated during the filtration process. The contact time will vary depending on the
hydraulics or the residence time between PAC dosing and filtration in the RSF. This method is rarely used, but may have
application in an emergency situation.

Why Norit - PAC for Potable Water

Matching the carbons pore size distribution to the impurities to be removed is imperative when selecting a PAC. Norit has the
technical resources and over 90 years experience to help you do just that. We are the worlds largest PAC manufacture dedicated
to the potable water market. Because of this, Norit has unmatched consistency of supply.
Why Norit PAC is a core product of our manufacturing.

Norit PAC for Potable Water

Product

Tannin
Value*

Particle Size
Iodine % Less Than
Number 100 Mesh

(150 Microns)

Particle Size Particle Size

% Less Than % Less Than
Raw
200 Mesh
325 Mesh Material
(75 Microns) (45 Microns)

HYDRODARCO B

200 570

99.9

99.8

96

Lignite Coal

HYDRODARCO O

220 550

99.9

99.8

96

Lignite Coal

HYDRODARCO W

220 525

99.9

99.8

96

Lignite Coal

NORIT PAC 20B

400 925

99

80

Bituminous Coal

*Lower tannin values indicate greater TOC removal

Norit application specialists are available to share their extensive experience in the field of potable water treatment.

Purity Requirements
Norit activated carbons meet the most stringent requirements concerning purity and leaching behavior.
Our PAC products are certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61. Both of our domestic production facilities are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Potable Water

PAC Packaging, Storage and Dosing

Norit products are supplied in paper bags, bulk bags, bulk pneumatic trailers or bulk railcars.
Dedicated systems are supplied by
PAC dry storage silo and dosing systems
PORTA-PAC bulk bag dosing systems
Portable dosing systems, pilot or temporary installations
Unique high flow units for dosing greater than 1,000 pounds per hour

PAC Performance Assessment

The water to be treated, process conditions, and treatment objectives all determine the optimal PAC grade and
dosage level. Lab-scale batch trials with actual water to be treated usually give a good indication of full scale PAC
performance.
Results will show which PAC is best capable of meeting performance and purity objectives as well as indicate what
dosage will be required. Results can be misleading, however, if the actual water to be treated is not used.
Norit application specialists are available to share their extensive experience to help you make the right choice.

Norit
Norit leading in purification develops and applies
state-of-the-art purification technologies to help
society, through our clients, meet environmental,
health, and safety challenges, and work towards a
sustainable future. The Norit Group, headquartered
in The Netherlands, supplies consumables,
components, systems, and solutions, based on
proprietary technology in every step of the water
and beverage value chains. More than 8 percent of
the worlds population - over half a billion people
- already consumes water purified by Norit!
Norits activated carbon, membranes, pumps,
aseptic and hygienic valves, carbon dioxide systems,
and quality control equipment rank among the
worlds best. Norit offers global coverage with
research and development, engineering, and
manufacturing facilities in seven countries.
A network of dedicated Norit sales and
service centers, business partners, and
distributors serves customers in
more than 150 countries around
the world.
No following.
Norit. Just leading.

Potable Water

P.O. Box 790, Marshall TX, USA

TF 800 641 9245 F +1 903 923 1003

Potable water B/E 2-2009

Norit Americas Inc.

E info@norit-americas.com I www.norit-americas.com
Please visit our website to obtain information about your local supplier.

NoritAmericas reserves the right to make changes in the technical specifications at any time.