ABSTRACT
An important aspect of design for any type carbon system is the individual hardware components that make up the entire facility. Much has been learned from the few facilities in operation and from engineering evaluations of alternative materials and methods of system design. This chapter presents current thinking on hardware design for this very important treatment step. It discusses some of the pertinent factors to consider in the design and specification of component equipment in an activated carbon adsorption system. The construction details vary considerably from pressure to gravity contactor design. Gravity contactors normally will employ an underdrain similar to existing rapid sand filter designs. A key element in piping design is to provide drains and/or cleanouts throughout the piping network to facilitate cleaning and observation of surface conditions. A carbon slurry must not be allowed to lie stagnant in black steel pipe.
