Removal of diclofenac from water by in/out PAC/UF hybrid process

Results from a lab-scale investigation of a hybrid in/out ultrafiltration and powdered activated carbon adsorption PAC/UF for removal of diclofenac (c₀= 5 mg/L) are presented. The efficiency of the process was compared for single pulse and continuous carbon dosing (PAC dose 5 mg/L) in dechlorinated tap water under fluxes of 87 and 135 L/(m² h). For higher flux conditions, it was observed that single pulse dosing has an advantage over continuous dosing procedure when comparing cycle average removal efficiency. Increase of carbon dose under these conditions increased cycle average removal only to a limited extent. PAC dose above 15 mg/L did not give improvements of the removal. Hypothesis was made that non-effective carbon distribution might be the possible reason.