Top FAQs About Activated Carbon

What is Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon, a highly porous material made from carbon, possesses a remarkable surface area. This makes it an effective adsorbent, meaning it can attract and hold onto impurities in liquids and gases. Activated carbon serves a many different purposes, including:

Water filtration: Activated carbon is used to remove impurities from water, such as chlorine, lead, and organic contaminants.

Air purification: Activated carbon is used to remove impurities from air, such as smoke, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Medical applications: Activated carbon is used to treat poisoning, as it can bind to and remove toxins from the body.

Industrial applications: Activated carbon is used in a variety of industrial processes, such as sugar refining and wastewater treatment.

How is Activated Carbon Made?

Activated carbon is made from a variety of carbonaceous materials, such as wood, coal, or coconut shells. The material is first heated in a furnace without oxygen, which drives off volatile gases and leaves behind a carbon residue. The carbon residue is then activated by a process of oxidation, which creates a large number of pores on the surface of the carbon. The more pores the carbon has, the greater its surface area and the more effective it will be as an adsorbent.

How Does Activated Carbon Work?

Activated carbon works by a process called adsorption. Adsorption is the physical or chemical attraction of a substance to the surface of another substance. In the case of activated carbon, impurities in liquids and gases are attracted to the pores on the surface of the carbon.
This attraction is caused by weak forces between the molecules of the impurity and the atoms of the carbon. Once the impurity is adsorbed onto the carbon, it is held in place and cannot escape.

What are the Benefits of Using Activated Carbon?

There are many benefits to using activated carbon, including:

Effective removal of impurities: Activated carbon is very effective at removing a wide variety of impurities from liquids and gases.

High surface area: Activated carbon has a very high surface area, which allows it to adsorb a large amount of impurities.

Long-lasting: Activated carbon can be used for a long time before it needs to be replaced.

Environmentally friendly: Activated carbon is a natural material that is safe for the environment.

What are the Applications of Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon's adaptability makes it a valuable asset in a wide range of applications, including:

Water filtration: Activated carbon is used in household water filters, municipal water treatment plants, and industrial wastewater treatment systems.

Air purification: Activated carbon is used in air purifiers, automotive air filters, and industrial air filtration systems.

Medical applications: Activated carbon is used to treat poisoning, as it can bind to and remove toxins from the body.

Industrial applications: Activated carbon is used in a variety of industrial processes, such as sugar refining, gas purification, and odor control.

What are the Safety Considerations for Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon is generally safe for use. While activated carbon offers numerous benefits, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

Do not ingest activated carbon: Activated carbon is not intended for internal consumption.

Do not use activated carbon if you are allergic to it: Some people may have an allergic reaction to activated carbon.

Dispose of activated carbon properly: Activated carbon should be disposed of in a trash can, not in a sink or drain.

What Is Activated Carbon Used For?

A column contactor commonly uses carbon. Adsorbers are the name of the columns, which are made particularly for water and air. The design is developed for pressure drop via the adsorber (needed to size container pressure rating and fan/pump design rating), contact time (a minimum contact time is needed to assure required removal), and loading (amount of fluid per area cross-section). All of the requirements for good adsorber design are already met by the conventional General Carbon adsorbers. Also, we can create unique designs for uses outside of the ordinary.

What Is the Shelf Life of Activated Carbon?

Many factors affect carbon's ability to bind compounds. The longevity of a carbon bed is affected by the molecular weight of the chemical being removed, its concentration in the stream being treated, the presence of other chemicals, the polarity of the chemicals being removed, the operating temperature of the system, and the stream being treated. Based on the quantities and chemicals in your stream, your General Carbon specialist will be able to give you a projected working life.

Is Activated Carbon an Absorbent or an Adsorbent?

Activated carbon adsorbs. It's common to compare the chemical process of absorption to the way a sponge absorbs liquid. Water permeates the entire sponge and is not only present on the surface. Adsorption, on the other hand, is a process in which molecules only adhere to the surface area. Because it is a porous substance, activated carbon has a huge surface area, as was already explained. The carbon particles' surface is where the undesired material adheres.

What Is the Use of Activated Carbon Filters for Water Treatment?

An effective method to remove certain contaminants from water, especially organic compounds, is to use a filter using granular activated carbon (GAC). Hydrogen sulfide (which gives water the smell of rotten eggs) and chlorine are two pollutants that GAC filters may also be used to remove. Getting certified activated carbon from a granulated activated carbon supplier ensures you get the best quality.

What Type of Carbon Filter Is the Best for Me?

Activated carbon filters come in a variety of forms, but choosing the one that will work best for you is actually not that difficult. Our professionals are more than happy to discover a solution if you'd like to know more about how to treat your application properly. Contact us if you require further details.

What Are Different Types of Activated Carbon:

Here's an overview of the different types of activated carbon:

Acid-washed Activated Carbon

Acid-washed activated carbon is a type of activated carbon that has been treated with an acid wash to remove impurities and improve its adsorption properties. This process makes the activated carbon more effective at removing certain types of contaminants, such as heavy metals and organic compounds. Acid-washed activated carbon is commonly used in water filtration and wastewater treatment applications.

Unwashed Activated Carbon

Unwashed activated carbon is a type of activated carbon that has not been treated with an acid wash. It is a less expensive and more readily available option than acid-washed activated carbon, but it may not be as effective at removing certain types of contaminants. Unwashed activated carbon is commonly used in air filtration and odor control applications.

Granular Activated Carbon

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a type of activated carbon that is made from small, hard pellets of carbon. GAC is known for its high surface area and its ability to adsorb a wide variety of contaminants. It is commonly used in water filtration and wastewater treatment applications.