Economics of Powdered Activated Carbon System

The economics of powdered carhon addition are difficult to assess. While the use of carhon might appear to increase material cost, reduction in total expense may, in some cases, be realized through savings on coagulants, sludge handhng chemicals, and so on. In other cases, the cost of carhon can he justified if it provides treatment protection from hydraulic or toxic overloads. 

Most industrial wastes require higher carhon dosage (20-300 ppm) than municipal wastes (10-40 ppm). In 1977, the delivered cost of powdered carbon was 55-66 0/kg (25-30 0/lb) the cost of carhon addition would he about 0.53-0.66 0/m (2.0-2.5 0/ 1000 gal) of water treated for every 10 ppm of carhon dosage without carhon regeneration. 

Estimates obtained from the above graphs must be adjusted to include engineering, administrative, land, interest, and legal expenses. Further operating and maintenance costs are not included. Typical operating costs for adsorption and regeneration are shown in Tables 5 and 6 (5). 

---