Comparison of the reaction of aqueous free chlorine with phenolic acids in solution and adsorbed on granular activated carbon

Abstract

The reaction of aqueous free chlorine with three phenolic acids was examined before and after adsorption on granular activated carbon. Organic products were extracted from aqueous solution and off the carbon surface and analyzed by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Complex reaction products and incomplete separations warranted the selection of a single compound, vanillic acid, for further study. Many products were formed on the carbon that were not present in the influent to the column. These products included several polyphenols and hydroxylated quinones that were tentatively identified from their methylated and silylated derivatives. The environmental significance of these reactions is discussed.

Biological filtration for BOM and particle removal: a critical review

“…55 Addition ally, Cl 2 reacts with th e GAC an d differen t adsorbed organ ics, e.g., ph en olic com pou n ds an d an ilin es, to form ch lorin ated organ ics n ot form ed in th e liqu id ph ase. [95][96][97][98] Th e ability to decom pose oxidan t residu als m igh t be part of th e reason wh y GAC h as been th ou gh t to sign ifican tly en h an ce biofiltration .…”

Hypochlorous acid-activated carbon: an oxidizing agent capable of producing hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls.

“…Trihalomethanes, other chlorinated organic compounds, and oxidation products are known to be formed. McCreary et al (4) showed that phenolic acids, which readily react with HOCI in dilute aqueous solutions, also react when adsorbed on GAC. However, in addition to the expected substitution products (chlorinated phenolic acids), compounds with introduced hydroxyl groups, quinones, and decarboxylation products were observed.…”

Effects of Activated Carbon on Reactions of Free and Combined Chlorine With Phenols

“…The data again showed the production of oxidized compounds. The adsorbed vanillic acid-HOCl reaction gave several hydroxylated benzenes and quinones that were not present, when the vanillic acid was not adsorbed (McCreary et. al.. 1982).…”

“…A 160 mL sample was purged with a stream of pure nitrogen gas in a purge flask (McCreary, 1980) Further details on the procedure are described by McCreary (1980).…”

“…Some chlorine will reach the activated carbon and will react with activated carbon and compounds adsorbed on it. Recent research (McCreary et_ al.. 1982) has shown that compounds which readily reacted with H0C1 in dilute aqueous solutions also reacted when adsorbed, but different and unusual reaction products were formed. Therefore, it is important to characterize the compounds formed from the surface reaction and their adsorption properties, to determine if they will be released to the treated water (and if so, the health hazard involved to those who drink this water).…”