Simple modeling approaches to monitor and predict organic contaminant adsorption by biochar

Biochar exhibits heterogeneous physicochemical properties and its performance as an organic contaminant (OC) removal technology can vary widely depending on those properties. Coupled with complex OC adsorption phenomena, such as dissolved organic matter (DOM) fouling that impacts its performance, the implementation of biochar adsorbents in water treatment applications can be challenging. To simplify water treatment by biochar, this chapter demonstrates that (i) results from commercially available surface area and elemental analyses can be used to screen for efficient biochar adsorbents; (ii) the percentage of an OC removed by biochar in the presence of DOM remains constant regardless of the OC initial concentration; (iii) batch adsorption test data can be used to predict biochar performance in flow-through biochar column adsorbers; and (iv) UV-absorbance at 254 nm can be used to monitor when the OC adsorption capacity of biochar adsorbers becomes exhausted.