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TRIHALOMETHANE PRECURSOR REMOVAL BY THE MAGNESIUM CARBONATE PROCESS
Citation:
Taylor, J., B. Snyder, B. Ciliax, C. Ferraro, AND A. Fisher. TRIHALOMETHANE PRECURSOR REMOVAL BY THE MAGNESIUM CARBONATE PROCESS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-84/090.
Description:
A project was conducted to determine and improve the ability of the magnesium carbonate process to remove trihalomethane (THM) precursors in treated drinking water. The project was conducted at a drinking water treatment plant in Melbourne, FL, which had been developed and installed in the early 1970's (before THM regulation) to reduce the sludge produced from water treatment. The process involved recovering the magnesium bicarbonate from the sludge by carbonation, reusing the Mg(HCO3)2 liquor for coagulation, recalcining the remaining CaCO3 solids and reusing the recovered CaO for pH control during coagulation. The project consisted of seven phases: jar test, recycle recovery, oxidation, THMFP model development, distribution system, alternative disinfectant, and granular activated carbon. The process was not recommended for potable water treatment with a highly colored (organic) surface water source because of the inherent problem of the formation of high concentrations of THM's. This occurred when large doses of chlorine were required to remove the color remaining in the water following the process.