Biochar/hydrochar Applications in Disinfection Byproduct Removal for Drinking Water

This project aims to investigate the process of disinfection byproduct (DBP) removal in drinking water, looking into the applications of biochar and hydrochar, which are low cost and environmentally sustainable adsorbents. These carbon-based adsorbents are derived from agricultural waste biomass, such as walnut shells. These adsorbents will be used to capture and remove contaminants in water, such as DBPs. DBPs are formed when chemical disinfectants react with organic and inorganic substances naturally present in water. The targeted DBPs for adsorption include trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and nitrosamines. An example of high concentration DBP formation is during emergency chlorination, where excess chlorine is added to drinking water to remove pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Exposure to DBPs can occur through ingestion, inhalation of contaminated air, or absorption through skin during bathing or swimming. Their ties to cancer, central nervous system complications, and liver damage emphasizes the importance of mitigating exposure. The methodology involves batch adsorption experiments, which are used to determine the mass ratio of contaminant to adsorbent (i.e., adsorption capacity). The research has been built on utilizing drinking water rather than DI water, to show its efficacy on what it’s intended for. The parameters within this experiment include adsorbent dose and type of adsorbent. After reaching the designated contact times for each sample, the solutions are filtered to remove the adsorbent and quantify the removal of DBPs. The objective of this project is to pose an eco-friendly and more cost effective solution for removing DBPs in drinking water.