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The Removal of Manganese in Drinking Water

Weakley II, David Allen (2010) The Removal of Manganese in Drinking Water. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Removing manganese while controlling the amount of disinfection byproducts formed in a drinking water plant and distribution system is a delicate balancing act. Currently the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproduct Rule (Stage 2 DBPR), established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is designed to improve drinking water quality and provide additional public health protection from disinfection byproducts. Many drinking water systems will not be able to comply with the Stage 2 DBPR unless changes are made to their treatment and distribution systems [USEPA, 2007]. With compliance issues threatening, water treatment utilities across the nation are using or at least considering any means necessary to minimize disinfection byproducts.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania like many water utilities experiences elevated levels of iron and manganese in their drinking water. The most common and arguably the most effective means of removing iron and manganese is prefilter chlorination. Here, chlorine is introduced to water at the top of the filter and oxidizes the metals in solution to a solid state, after which, iron and manganese are removed on multimedia filters. The major water treatment utility concern was that prefilter water with elevated amounts of TOC (disinfection byproduct precursor) is being dosed with chlorine before the filters have a chance to remove the excessive organic matter. The least amount of organic matter combined with the lowest chlorine dose necessary for metals removal and disinfection should create the lowest concentration of trihalomethanes.The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) devised and completed bench, pilot and full plant-scale experiments testing alternative methods of manganese removal. Novel technologies such as prefilter hydrogen peroxide and prefilter sodium permanganate oxidation were both tested in bench and pilot scale experiments. Bench-Scale studies utilizing ferric sulfate as a primary coagulant were conducted to determine the degree of manganese contamination compared with use of ferric chloride, PWSA's current coagulant. Prefilter chlorination and the effects on trihalomethane formation were also extensively studied.The purpose of this research was to determine the optimal treatment approach that permits adequate removal of manganese, to prevent discoloration of finished water in the distribution system and produce the lowest concentration of disinfection byproducts, and therefore the safest water at the tap.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Weakley II, David Allendavidweakley@gmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairCasson, Leonardcasson@pitt.eduCASSON
Committee CoChairStates, StanleySStates@pgh2o.com
Committee MemberMonnell, Jasonjdm49@pitt.eduJDM49
Committee MemberHarper, Williewharper@pitt.eduWHARPER
Date: 26 January 2010
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 11 April 2009
Approval Date: 26 January 2010
Submission Date: 19 October 2009
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Swanson School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Degree: MSCE - Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Hydrogen Peroxide; Manganese Removal; Prefilter Chlorination; Sodium Permanganate; Disinfection Byproduct; THM
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-10192009-174157/, etd-10192009-174157
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 20:03
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:50
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9490

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