Experiments were conducted to develop activated carbon treatability data for 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), and examine the applications and limitations of adsorption models. Equilibrium and kinetic parameters were developed using organic-free water and ground water spiked with DBCP in experiments with both virgin carbon and carbon which had been preloaded with natural organic material. Mass transfer parameters estimated from correlations found in the literature were compared with those determined experimentally. The pore-surface diffusion (PSD) model was used for analysis of kinetic data and performance prediction. interparticle diffusion was the predominant mass transfer mechanism and it was not significantly affected by matrix or preloading, while the equilibrium capacity was. A lumped-parameter modeling approach was verified with an independent experiment and was used to predict DBCP adsorption performance under simulated water treatment conditions. A variety of adsorber configurations were examined for a variety of treatment objectives using the calibrated PSD model.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 25-29). "June 1988." "EPA-570-9-89-019."