Changes of catalytic mass grains morphology as a result of their surface covering with iron compounds

Lodz University of Technology, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, 90-924 Lodz, Politechniki Ave 6, Poland

^* Corresponding author: maciej.dobrzanski@p.lodz.pl

Abstract

There were operational problems of not having the ability to remove manganese compounds in one of the country's groundwater treatment plants, despite the fact that the filters were some years earlier fitted with the Multiman 3M catalytic bed inserts. The paper presents the results of analysis of morphological characteristics of fresh and blocked catalytic grains. An equivalent diameter, circularity, convexity, and compactness were used to describe the morphological characteristics of the catalytic mass grains. The obtained results confirmed the assumption that the grains of the catalytic mass were blocked by iron hydroxide and that the cause of WTP operating problems was the failure of the aerator, which resulted in the penetration of iron hydroxide through the upper sand bed layer into the lower catalytic mass layer.