Activated carbon types and application

There are mainly five types of activated carbon. Each is better suited to a certain application than another, and here are the main forms of activated carbon you will come across.

Granulated activated carbon has a smaller external surface than powdered activated carbon as a result of its slightly larger particle size. This type is mostly utilized in general deodorization, air treatment, and water treatment.

This is powdered activated carbon that has been mixed with a binder and formed into pellets. The pellets are typically employed in gas phase applications because they have a low dust content, good mechanical strength, and a low-pressure drop.

This is a fine form of activated carbon, and it is typically added directly to process units like raw water intakes, gravity filters, and clarifiers. Due to the probable head loss that might happen, it is rarely utilized in a dedicated vessel.

This form of activated carbon is infused with inorganic impregnates like silver and iodine. The biggest application for impregnated activated carbon is in the purification of domestic potable water.

This fifth type of activated carbon is also called surface-modified activated carbon. In addition to being adsorptive, it may also initiate and enhance chemical processes, which makes it useful for removing contaminants from drinking water.

Activated carbon is a highly porous material that is used to remove contaminants from water, air, and other liquids and gases. It is made by heating organic materials, such as wood, coconut shells, or coal, in the absence of oxygen. This process creates a network of tiny pores that can trap and remove a variety of contaminants, including:

• Chlorine
• Heavy metals
• Organic pollutants
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Dust
• Pollen
• Hydrogen sulfide
• Carbon monoxide
• Ammonia
• Precious metals

Here are some of the uses of activated carbon.

Different kinds of activated carbon can be employed to filter gases. The specific form is chosen based on the intended outcome and includes cloth, pelletized, and granular activated carbon. Some of the most popular gas purification applications for activated carbon include removing hydrogen sulfide from natural gas and filtering breathing air in air-conditioning units. In this second application, activated carbon helps remove radon and odors from the recirculated air.

Activated carbon is also used in mining to recover precious metals, particularly gold. Due to its adsorbent nature, activated carbon is utilized in separating carbon from cyanide in the final stages of mining.

Activated carbon is used in the food and beverage sector to enhance the purity, fragrance, and taste of several foodstuffs and beverages, including concentrated juice. Sweeteners can also be decolorized and have unwanted by-products removed from them using activated carbon.

Activated carbon is used in water purification as both a primary and tertiary treatment. For water purification, both granular and powdered activated carbon is used. In the initial treatment, the main purpose is to remove large particles and retain them. In the final stages of water treatment, activated carbon is used for taste and odor control.