Granulated micelle–clay complexes including the organic cation octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA) were shown to be efficient in removal of total bacteria count (TBC) from water. Microwave (MW) heating of granules to restore bacterial removal was investigated. Drying of granules by MW required 20-fold less energy than by conventional heating. When water content of granules approached 10%, or less, their heating period by MW had to be below 1 min, e.g., 30 s, and less, in order to avoid ignition and irreversible structural changes. Structural and thermal properties of MW heated samples were studied by FT-IR spectra and thermo gravimetric analyses (TGA). Inactivation of bacteria in water was more efficient by MW than by conventional oven, or by electric plate. For elimination of bacteria from water, MW heating was at least five-fold more efficient than by conventional heating. The results have established an adequate regeneration procedure by MW heating at durations depending on the remaining percentage of water associated with the granules. Tests of first and second regenerations by MW heating, and HCl washing of columns, were carried out. It was concluded that MW treatment may be chosen for optimal regeneration of the granulated micelle–clay complex as an efficient and low-cost procedure.

The efficiency in water treatment by granulated complexes formed from the clay bentonite with (i) micelles of the cations of octadecyltrimethyl-ammonium (ODTMA) or (ii) liposomes of didodecyldimethyl-ammonium (DDAB) was investigated. The bentonite–ODTMA complexes were synthesized in three variations: I. mass ratio of 68/32, which resulted in an excess of positive charge of half of the clay cation exchange capacity and is denoted “ordinary”; II. complexes having higher loads of ODTMA, denoted “enriched”; and III. “neutral”. These variations were designed to optimize the efficiency and reduce the costs of water treatment. “Ordinary” and “neutral” complexes of DDAB were also synthesized. The “ordinary” complex of ODTMA was shown to be efficient in the removal of anionic/hydrophobic molecules and bacteria. The “enriched” complexes were more active in removal of bacteria from water by filtration due to the higher release of free ODTMA cations, which causes biostatic/biocidal effects. The corresponding “ordinary” and “neutral” complexes of ODTMA and DDAB yielded the same efficiency in removal from water of the neutral and hydrophobic herbicides, S-metolachlor (i) and alachlor (ii), respectively. Model calculations, which considered sorption/desorption and convection yielded simulations and predictions of filtration results of the herbicides. The neutral complexes are advantageous since their production saves about 1/3 of the amount of ODTMA or DDAB, which constitutes the expensive component in the respective composite.

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