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Activated carbon FAQ
Curious? Explore our FAQs
What is activated carbon?
Activated carbon is a porous, irregularly structured material with high surface area, essentially made from carbon. Being naturally derived from sources like wood, coconut shell, coal, etc, it is environmentally safe. Its surface has numerous microscopic pores of various sizes, making it the perfect solution for trapping and absorbing molecules, intoxicants, external particles, toxins, and the like. It is used extensively to remove impurities from gaseous and liquid media via a phenomenon called adsorption. The extensive internal pore network aided by the high surface area gives activated carbon high-efficiency adsorption rates.
How does activated carbon work?
Activated carbon works through a process of adsorption. The large surface area of activated carbon aided with its extensive pores will serve as a huge adsorption surface. As a contaminated fluid passes through activated carbon, the pores trap the toxins. This effective trapping mechanism removes both organic and inorganic foreign particles, including chemicals, toxins, odours, making activated carbon the perfect tool for purification and filtration. The best part? Activated carbon has zilch side-effects!
What are the types of activated carbon?
Activated carbon can come in various forms- powdered activated carbon, pelletized activated carbon, granular activated carbon.
a. Powdered activated carbon:
Powdered activated carbons or PACs have particle sizes ranging from 5 to 150 Å; coarser and finer grades are available. PACs are mainly used for liquid adsorption. They are mixed into the liquid that needs treatment, and once adsorption is over, they are removed through sedimentation and filtration. PACs are mostly used in batch processes as the amount added can be easily changed, and the powder can be easily removed. The main advantages of PACs are its low processing costs and superior operational flexibility.
b. Granular activated carbon:
Granular activated carbons or GACs are irregularly shaped particles, ranging from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, produced by milling and sieving, they are used for liquid and gaseous applications. GACs are best suited for processes involving a single product refined or continuously manufactured in large quantities. They are long-lasting than powdered activated carbons, much easier to handle, and capable of purifying large volumes of gas or liquid with consistent quality. The catch? GACs can be reactivated and reused multiple times.
c. Pelletized activated carbon:
Pelletized activated carbons, ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter, are commonly used in solvent recovery, gas purification, and automotive emission control. Being produced via extrusion process, pelletized activated carbon is durable enough to last a vehicle’s lifespan, thanks to high-volume activity, low-pressure drop, and high strength of extruded carbon.
What are the properties of activated carbon
The properties or features of activated carbon that makes it the best tool for purification are as follows:
High surface area:
Activated carbon has extremely high surface area per unit volume, ranging from 500 to 1500 m²/g. This extensive surface area is because of its highly porous structure, enabling it to adsorb significant amounts of substances relative to its size.
Pore structure:
The efficacy of activated carbon is largely dependent on its pore size distribution. Its pores can be micropores (less than 2 nm), mesopores (2-50 nm), and macropores (greater than 50 nm). This varied pore structure enables it to trap various contaminant molecules.
Adsorption capability:
Thanks to its porous texture and huge surface area, activated carbon can adsorb various organic molecules and some inorganic gases, making activated carbon highly effective in purifying liquids and gases by removing unwanted substances.
Why choose activated carbon
Activated carbon’s extensive network of pores, high efficiency in contaminant and toxin removal, and the fact that it is sourced from the most naturally available substances like coconut shell, coal, wood, etc makes it the most cost-effective, and most effective purification choice. Also, it leaves no harmful contaminants and is extremely environmentally friendly and sustainable purification technique.
Using activated carbon has several environmental benefits as well. It minimizes pollution, cleanses air and water, captures harmful toxins and pollutants, helping and aiding in creating cleaner surroundings. Furthermore, activated carbon is produced from waste materials like coconut shells, wood etc, thus reducing waste, recycling natural waste and improving sustainability.
How to select the right activated carbon for your application?
Activated carbon comes in various forms and shapes- granular, powdered, pelletized- each best suited for specific applications. You must select the best activated carbon as suited for your needs.
a. Particle size and adsorption kinetics: Particle size directly affects the flow dynamics and pressure drop across the carbon surface. Smaller particles offer larger surface area but can also cause higher pressure drops, which might be a problem for applications with flow limitations. On the other hand, adsorption kinetics, the rate at which contaminants are removed from the fluid being treated, is crucial for ensuring efficient purification. Faster kinetics are usually preferred, because it enables quicker contaminant removal, essential in applications with rapid processing times.
b. Pore size distribution and other parameters: Selecting activated carbon based on pore size distribution is critical to align carbon’s properties with specific adsorption needs. Pore sizes are divided into micropores (less than 2 nm), mesopores (2-50 nm), and macropores (over 50 nm). With its extensive surface area, microporous carbon is best suited for adsorbing small molecular contaminants like gases and volatile compounds. Mesoporous and macroporous carbons are ideal for larger molecules in liquid-phase applications, such as colors and odors.
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