United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research Jf ^^
Laboratory "
Cincinnati OH 45268
Research and Development
EPA-600/S2-84-079 May 1984
Project Summary
Estimating Costs of Granular
Activated Carbon Treatment for
Water and Wastewater
Glenn DeWolf, Robert Hern, and Paul Storm
The full report discusses design con-
siderations and presents system module
costs for conceptual cost estimating of
granular activated carbon systems for
water and wastewater treatment. It
illustrates the development of total
system costs using the system module
costs.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Industrial Environmental Re-
search Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH, to
announce key findings of the research
project that is fully documented in a
separate report of the same title (see
Project Report ordering information at
back).
Background
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is
used to treat drinking water supplies and
municipal and industrial wastewaters.
GAC is also used as a treatment tech-
nology for water contaminated as a result
of uncontrolled chemical waste disposal.
Interest in GAC treatment for these
applications stems from a need to reduce
concentrations of toxic and other objec-
tionable organic compounds harmful to
human health and the general environ-
ment. GAC ca n reduce the concentrations
of certain organic materials to lower
levels (at an acceptable cost) than might
be achievable for these materials using
other technologies.
As with other environmental control
technologies, costs for meeting treatment
objectives must be taken into account in
policy planning. This is especially true
today, as more emphasis is being placed
on cost/benefit analysis as a tool in
guiding regulatory policy. In addition,
operating facilities subject to regulation
also need to evaluate costs.
Design Considerations/
Cost Estimates
The full report provides a data base for
preparing conceptual estimates to aid in
policy planning, technology assessment,
and cost evaluations of facilities.
Section 2 describes the background for
GAC use in three application areas:
drinking water, municipal wastewater,
and industrial wastewater treatment. The
approach for compiling and developing
cost data is discussed. The scope and
limitations of the report are also defined
and a brief review of previously published
cost information is provided. The relation-
ship of the present work to previous work
is discussed; graphs comparing results of
this report with previous work are pro-
vided.
Section 3 highlights design considera-
tions for GAC systems. Types of carbon
systems are identified and defined in
terms of process modules. These modules
are the basis for the modular costs and
system cost estimates presented in later
sections of the report. The overall features
of GAC systems are discussed and major
design parameters examined for the
three major functional segments of a
carbon adsorption system: adsorption,
carbon regeneration, and carbon storage
and transfer. The discussion in Section 3
is necessary to ensure proper interpreta-
tion and use of the cost data of Sections 4
and 5.
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Section 4 contains modular cost data.
Direct capital costs and processing ex-
penses, as defined by Items 11 and 70 in a
report by Uhl1, are presented for the
process modules defined in Section 3. For
each process module in Section 4, there
is a brief description, a listing of the
design basis and assumptions for the cost
data presented, a schematic figure of the
moddle, where appropriate, and cost
graphs:'
In Section 5, the modular costs of
Sectfbn 4 are combined and developed
into system costs. A "typical" system
from each application area is used as an
example1. A sensitivity analysis of one of
the systems shows how major design
variables can affect costs. The user can
prepare individualized estimates and
sensitivity analyses using the procedures
illustrated by these examples.
• Appendices to the full report provide
miscellaneous technical data and con-
version factors.
Reference
1. Uhl, Vincent W. A Standard Pro-
cedure for Cost Analysis of Pollution
Control Operations. Vol. I. User
Guide, EPA-600/8-79-018a (NTIS
Order Number PB80-108038). Vol.
II. Appendices, EPA-600/8-79-
018b (NTIS Order Number PB80-
108046).
GlenDeWo/f, Robert Hern, and Paul Storm are with Radian Corporation, Austin,
TX 78759.
Alden G. Christiansen is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Estimating Costs of Granular Activated Carbon
Treatment for Water and Wastewater," (Order No. PB 84-178 656; Cost:
$22.00, subject to change) will be available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted afi
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; 1984 — 759-015/7682
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
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