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CHAPTER 1. OBJECTIVE

First and foremost I would like to highlight that this thesis emerges as a

purpose to improve the problematic situation that exists nowadays related to

micro-pollutants occurrence in surface and ground waters that was explained in

the introduction chapter. This reason, coupled with a vital importance of healthy

potable water that guarantee quality minimum specifications that are more strict

each time and a rising demand all over the world, plenty justify the necessity of

works like this one.

The study is focused on the study of several pesticides adsorption on

activated carbon. Activated carbon columns plant, experimental methodology,

samples preparation and their analysis were decided and designed. Different

objectives of this study are considered below.

Activated carbon columns plant design and running was considered as

the main objective of this work due to it is the first tool required to

achieve all the other possible objectives. It had to be useful to study

different micro-pollutants adsorption and different experimental

conditions. Theoretical principles, technical solutions and problems found

during design and running of the plant are considered.

Analytical techniques design that could be satisfactory used to analyze

the compounds studied (aldrin, dieldrin and atrazin). Samples

preparation and analyze was studied.

Experimental design that can be used to study two main ideas related to

the adsorption of different micro-pollutants on activated carbon

commented below.

1. Batch reactors experiments in order to obtain KF and

n, parameters required to model pollutants adsorption

on activated carbon using Freundlich equation.

2. Comparative study of the breakthrough curve ofdifferent pollutants in activated carbon columns.

Due to some problems, all the experiences that were thought to be done

at the beginning of this work could not have been done. It is because of that

that there are not too many adsorption results. Anyway, this paper is

considered as the initial effort that was necessary to do if adsorption studies

wanted to be done in K.U. Leuven chemical department laboratory.

A single substance adsorption was considered in batch and continuous

experiences.

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It is important to point out that these experiences were developed to

make a comparative study of micro-pollutants adsorption on activated

carbon. It is because of it that tap water was used as a matrix in which some

micro-pollutants were spiked. Possible interferences were eliminated by this

way and just the adsorption of the pollutant could be considered.