Adsorption kinetics of MIB and geosmin

Abstract

Well‐established and alternative modeling approaches involving the homogeneous surface diffusion model were used to investigate several parameters. The kinetics of 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin are examined using laboratory and field data and through model simulations using the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM). Both the laboratory and field data indicate that adsorption kinetics for MIB are slow and that equilibrium may not be reached when powdered activated carbon is used, even with relatively long contact times (4–6 h). Isotherm predictions of field‐scale data were lower than measured data, indicating possible kinetic limitations. Model parameters for the HSDM were based on equilibrium isotherm data, laboratory kinetic experimental data, or both. The simplest approach involved fitting all model parameters to kinetic data. Fitted isotherm parameters compared well with independent isotherm study data. Simulated field‐scale effluent MIB concentrations showed good agreement with measured data. The modeling approaches used are easy to implement compared with previous approaches based on ideal adsorbed solution theory and the HSDM.