Removal of bromide and bromate from drinking water using granular activated carbon

Abstract

Granular activated carbon (GAC) was used to remove bromide (Br−) and bromate (BrO3−) from drinking water in both bench- and pilot-scale experiments. The present study aims to minimize BrO3− formation and eliminate BrO3− generated during the ozonation of drinking water, particularly in packaged drinking water. Results show that the Br− and BrO3− levels in GAC-treated water decreased in both bench- and pilot-scale experiments. In the bench-scale experiments, when the empty bed contact time (EBCT) was 5 min, the highest reduction rates of Br− in the mineral and ultrapure water were found to be 74.9% and 91.2%, respectively, and those of BrO3− were 94.4% and 98.8%, respectively. The GAC capacity for Br− and BrO3− removal increased with the increase in EBCT. Reduction efficiency was better in ultrapure water than in mineral water. In the pilot-scale experiments, the minimum reduction rates of Br− and BrO3− were 38.5% and 73.2%, respectively.