DynaSand Carbon

DynaSand Carbon

DynaSand Carbon provides continuous carbon filtration for micropollutant removal in municipal and industrial wastewater, as well as clean water applications. By combining up-flow filtration with continuous media movement, it delivers stable adsorption of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and other trace organics without the downtime associated with conventional backwash filters.

This makes DynaSand Carbon a practical option where:

• Micropollutant limits are tightening or emerging
• Upgrades are needed on existing biological treatment plants
• Operators require a robust, continuous solution rather than a batch-style filtration step

Micropollutant reduction is only one part of what the system can do, but it is a key driver in many current projects and regulations.

DynaSand Carbon uses the established DynaSand continuous filtration principle, with granular activated carbon as the filter media.

1. Up-flow filtration and adsorption
   Water enters at the bottom of the filter and flows upwards through the GAC bed. Dissolved organics, micropollutants and other contaminants are adsorbed onto the carbon surface as the water passes through.
2. Continuous media movement
   A small flow of air and water lifts a portion of the carbon bed via an internal airlift. This movement happens continuously while the filter is in operation.
3. Internal washing
   At the top of the airlift, carbon passes through an internal washer where entrained solids and fines are removed. Clean carbon then returns to the top of the bed.
4. Stable long-term operation
   Because the media is continuously refreshed, DynaSand Carbon operates without the need for scheduled backwash cycles or separate backwash pumps and tanks.

Key technical characteristics

• Filtration mode: continuous up-flow GAC filtration
• Media: granular activated carbon (several grades can be selected to match the application)
• Operation: fully automatic, continuous media regeneration

Typical applications: quaternary polishing, clean water treatment, industrial water and wastewater treatment

DynaSand Carbon (Continuous GAC Filtration)

Q1. What is DynaSand Carbon and how does it work?
DynaSand Carbon is a continuous granular activated carbon (GAC) filter that uses an internal airlift column to move and clean the media and elute foreign debris continuously. Water flows upward through the carbon bed, where organics, micropollutants and oxidants are adsorbed.

Q2. How does DynaSand Carbon remove micropollutants?
Micropollutants are adsorbed onto the activated carbon as the water passes through the bed. The continuous movement of the carbon maintains adsorption efficiency and prevents the breakthrough issues seen in static GAC beds, especially under variable loading.

Q3. Can DynaSand Carbon remove chlorine, chloramine and ozone?
Yes. Activated carbon naturally removes free chlorine, chloramine and ozone through catalytic and adsorptive reactions. This makes DynaSand Carbon suitable as pre-treatment before RO, NF or ion exchange systems, where oxidants must be removed to protect membranes and resins.

Q4. When should I use DynaSand Carbon instead of conventional GAC filters?
DynaSand Carbon is preferred when:

• Flows are high or continuous
• Downtime for backwashing is not acceptable
• Influent quality varies
• Space constraints limit the use of multiple GAC vessels
• Continuous oxidant or organics polishing is required

Conventional GAC is suitable for long EBCT, low-flow and stable operating conditions.

Q5. What contaminants can DynaSand Carbon remove?
Typical targets include:

• Micropollutants (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides*)
• Natural organic matter (NOM)
• Taste and odour compounds
• Colour and COD
• Residual oxidants (chlorine, chloramine, ozone)
• PFAS* (with specific GAC grades and design EBCT)

*Design-dependent; influent quality and carbon selection determine performance.

Q6. Can DynaSand Carbon be used in drinking water treatment?
Yes. DynaSand Carbon can provide NOM reduction, pesticide removal, taste/odour control and oxidant removal in surface water and groundwater systems. It can operate as a primary GAC step or as a polishing step downstream of clarification and filtration.

Q7. Is DynaSand Carbon suitable for industrial wastewater?
Yes. It is commonly used for:

• Colour and COD reduction
• Trace organics polishing
• Membrane pre-treatment (oxidant removal)
• Water reuse projects

Industries include pulp & paper, textiles, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

Q8. How often does activated carbon need to be replaced?
Carbon replacement intervals depend on:

• EBCT
• Influent organic load
• Target removal objectives
• Carbon grade
• Flow variability

Continuous filtration extends media life by reducing fouling and maintaining adsorption performance.

Q9. Does DynaSand Carbon require backwash equipment?
No. The filter continuously regenerates carbon using an internal airlift and washer. This eliminates the need for:

• Backwash pumps
• Backwash tanks
• Backwash sequences
• Downtime

Q10. Can DynaSand Carbon integrate with existing treatment trains?
Yes. It is typically installed downstream of:

• Biological treatment
• Clarification
• DynaDisc or DynaCloth filtration
• Sand filtration
• Oxidation (ozone, UV, AOP)

It can also serve as a polishing step before membranes or reuse.

Q11. What is EBCT? (Empty Bed Contact Time)
EBCT is the theoretical time water spends in the carbon bed, based on the carbon volume and flow rate. It is a standard design parameter for PAC/GAC systems in municipal and industrial water treatment.