Twelve different powdered activated carbons (PACs) were screened under laboratory conditions to determine their performance in the removal of chlorite ions (ClO₂⁻) and in the production of chloride ions (Cl⁻) and chlorate ions (ClO₃⁻) during that removal. All screenings were conducted in reagent water, at pH 7.0 ± 0.2 pH units, with a standard concentration of 20 mg/liter of powdered activated carbon (PAC) added in each case, and with the process and samples protected from light. One set of screening experiments was conducted with both ClO₂⁻ and chlorine added with the PAC, while the other set contained only ClO₂⁻, and PAC. The chlorine and ClO₂⁻ were added to concentration levels which might be expected in disinfection practice in water treatment plants.

Periodic samples were drawn as the mixtures were stirred over a 24 hour period. Each sample was analyzed for Cl⁻, ClO₂⁻, and ClO₃⁻ concentrations utilizing ion chromatography. All PACs were found to reduce ClO₂⁻ to Cl, and ClO₃⁻ was never detected when chlorine was absent. The data provided no consistent significant evidence of ClO₃⁻ formation even when chlorine was present. The rate of ClO₂⁻ removal was most rapid in the first two hours of contact, but slowed to rates below 6 percent per hour after 4 hours of contact. Rates of ClO₂⁻ removal varied with PAC type. The overall rate of ClO₂⁻ removal was also slower, with the total percentage of ClO₂⁻ removal less, when chlorine was present in the mixture.