ARS | Publication request: Predicting performance of almonds shells for cleanup of almond soil fumigants from potable water.

Submitted to: Almond Industry Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 10, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Almond shell strength and bulk density were determined to differ significantly among almond varieties, and further research demonstrated that granular activated carbons (GAC) produced from shells of different varieties had similar abilities to adsorb DBCP from contaminated water. As an extension of this work, almond shell GAC is being trialed against bituminous coal GAC in column filters installed on a DBCP-contaminated groundwater source. The useful service life of almond shell GAC is being evaluated through monitoring of effluents passing through the columns. Carbon bed stability and permeability as well as mass transfer zone size in almond shell GAC filters are being compared with commercially available coal-based GAC filters.