What happens if the bed in a GAC filter is not adequately cleaned?

In a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filter, the bed is designed to adsorb impurities and contaminants from water. Over time, the GAC can become clogged with particulates and organic matter, which impairs its ability to effectively adsorb new contaminants. If the filter bed is not adequately cleaned, the accumulated material can create a barrier that inhibits the flow of water through the filter, leading to a reduction in both the filtration efficiency and its adsorption capacity.

As the GAC becomes less effective at capturing pollutants, the overall quality of the treated water declines, as fewer contaminants are removed. This degradation in performance illustrates why proper maintenance and cleaning of the filter bed is essential for the optimal functionality of a GAC filtration system. Therefore, the correct understanding is that both the filtration process and the capacity of the GAC to adsorb contaminants will be compromised if the bed isn't properly maintained.