posted on 2006-03-01, 00:00authored byMichele Steiner, Wouter Pronk, Markus A. Boller
During rain events, copper wash-off occurring from
copper roofs results in environmental hazards. In this
study, columns filled with granulated ferric hydroxide (GFH)
were used to treat copper-containing roof runoff. It was
shown that copper could be removed to a high extent. A
model was developed to describe this removal process. The
model was based on the Two Region Model (TRM),
extended with an additional diffusion zone. The extended
model was able to describe the copper removal in long-term experiments (up to 125 days) with variable flow
rates reflecting realistic runoff events. The four parameters
of the model were estimated based on data gained with
specific column experiments according to maximum sensitivity
for each parameter. After model validation, the parameter
set was used for the design of full-scale adsorbers.
These full-scale adsorbers show high removal rates during
extended periods of time.