Activated Carbon and its Applications

Activated carbon has multiple applications in various industries. It may be utilized in a variety of ways depending on the situation. More information on this lightweight and one-of-a-kind material, including some of its features and applications, is provided below.

What exactly is activated carbon?

Carbon that has been activated is a form of carbon that has been treated to improve its surface area and porosity. This makes it an efficient adsorbent, attracting and holding other molecules on its surface. Water filtration, air purification, and odor control are all applications for activated carbon. It is a very cost-effective option for a variety of sectors since it is cheap to get and may be manufactured from a base material such as wood, coal, or coconut shells. Each basic material may produce a somewhat different product, but it will perform similarly in diverse applications.

High heat and chemical treatments are used to create activated carbon from carbonaceous materials. Physical activation entails heating the materials, whereas chemical activation entails impregnating them with activating chemicals before heating them. By treating activated carbon with extra chemicals, impregnated activated carbon is generated.

Activated Carbon Applications

The very porous substance activated carbon is used to remove pollutants from water, air, and other liquids and gases. It is created by heating organic materials in the absence of oxygen, such as wood, coconut shells, or coal. This method generates a network of microscopic holes capable of trapping and removing a wide range of pollutants, including:

Chlorine

Metals of great weight

Pollutants that are organic in nature

VOCs are short for volatile organic compounds.

Dust Pollen

Sulfuric acid

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Ammonia

Metals of value

Here are some of the applications for activated carbon.

Gas and Air

To filter gases, many types of activated carbon can be used. The precise form is determined by the desired effect and might be fabric, pelletized, or granular activated carbon. Activated carbon is commonly used in gas purification applications such as eliminating hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and filtering breathing air in air-conditioning units. In the second use, activated carbon aids in the removal of radon and smells from recirculated air.

Mining

In mining, activated carbon is used to recover valuable metals, notably gold. Because of its adsorption properties, activated carbon is used in the latter stages of mining to separate carbon from cyanide.

Food and Drinks

In the food and beverage industry, activated carbon is used to improve the purity, smell, and flavor of a variety of foods and beverages, including concentrated juice. Activated carbon may also be used to decolorize sweeteners and eliminate undesirable byproducts.

Water Purification

Activated carbon is used as a primary and secondary treatment in water purification. Granular and powdered activated carbon are both utilized for water filtration. The primary goal of the first treatment is to eliminate and retain big particles. Activated carbon is used in the last stages of water treatment to regulate taste and odor.