What Is Activated Carbon?

If you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering what activated carbon is, and its application. Its surface area is used for many adsorbent or chemical reactions as it is a processed form of carbon and it is extremely porous. The following is most popularly described and used as an absorber of contaminants including pollution. You will have a better notion of what activated carbon really is and how it operates after you have read this.

There are a couple of ways that activated carbon can be produced from substances such as wood, nutshells, or coal. One way that is engrossed in the process known as carbonization.

This process entails the heating carbon content to 600-900 degrees centigrade within an atmosphere of such inert gases as argon or nitrogen. Another method, called Oxidation, exposes the carbonized materials to oxidizing atmospheres such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, or steam, at temperatures between 600-1200 °C. Both techniques physically alter the structure of the molecules, which increase the surface area available for chemical reactions or adsorption.

There is more than one way in which activated carbon can appear. Powdered activate carbon has a large surface area to volume ratio and is generally used in raw water intakes, rapid mix basins, clarifiers, and gravity filters. The size of granular activated carbon particles is bigger than that of powdered form and hence they have a lesser surface area to volume ratio. This substance is preferred in the adsorption of gases and vapors. Impregnated carbon, which name stems from being "impregnated" by several types of inorganic substances (Al, Mn, Zn, Fe, Li, Ca)The galleries and museums have been using it for the purpose of air pollution control. The goal of removing pollutants and other contaminates is the same during the entire process of activated carbon which make take many variances of forms.

What is the role of activated carbon during purification? Let’s take the case of a Britta water filter that’s used to clean tap water in homes. When tap water passes through the filter, organic compounds are attracted to the activated carbon and the two substances chemically bond to one another. Molecules found in pollutants are too large to get beyond filter pores in your sink and therefore will never be found in your glass.

Now, you should have a better idea of how activated carbon is produced, the physical forms it can take, its purpose, and how it works. Also consider activated charcoal.

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