![]() Raw carbon-based materials are essentially full of other substances like organic matter which tend to fill the pores in the carbon. It results in a change of chemical composition where elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen are eliminated from the source material. This is the first process where the raw material with carbon content is thermally decomposed (pyrolyzed) at extremely high temperatures (600 to 900☌) in an inert environment (such as a tank without oxygen). It’s produced through two key processes, carbonization, and activation. How is activated carbon is made?Īctivated carbon is basically derived from carbonaceous or carbon-rich organic materials such as wood, coconut shells, nutshells, coal, and peat. The porous it is, the greater the surface area and the more capacity it has to capture and hold more contaminants within and without it. The process is almost the same as dusting furniture at home where the dust clings only to the dust cloth’s surface.Įverything happens on the surface level and as such, the surface area in activated carbon is what matters the most and its effectiveness depends on how porous it is. The surface area of the activated carbon has a negative electrical charge hence attracts and holds the positively charged molecules of the organic chemicals and other toxins in the water – they stick only to the surface, they don’t enter into the activated carbon media and no new substance is created afterward. This is accomplished via adsorption which is a distinct process where the organic compounds/chemicals basically adhere to the surface area of the activated carbon instead of getting pulled inside the pores like is the case with the absorption process. These millions of pores provide vast surface space for water to pass through and they are what allow the activated carbon to filter out/grab contaminants like toxic chemicals and hold them in place. How does activated carbon work?Īctivated carbon works by trapping chemical contaminants and other toxins in the water through a process known as adsorption.īeing extremely porous, it’s filled with millions of microscopic and submicroscopic pores that together create a very dense network of holes. It’s made from carbonaceous (carbon-based) materials like wood, bamboo, coal, peat, or coconut shells, and can either be in the form of a fine back powder or granules. ![]() The effectiveness of these filters, particularly their excellent adsorption capacity and the fact that they are recognized as being safe, are reasons why they are most widely used in home and commercial water treatment systems.Īctivated carbon is a form of carbon or material made out of carbon molecules that have been processed, treated, or activated by heat or steam to make them extremely porous and increase their surface area and adsorptive properties. It works by trapping and holding organic chemical molecules present in the water flowing through it. They utilize activated carbon which has a very microporous structure with a large surface area. ![]() They come in several different types but the ones that are most often used are granular activated carbon filters (GAC), carbon block filters, and radial flow GAC carbon filters.Įach has its advantages and disadvantages but the medium and the mechanisms for removing the contaminants are closely related. Today, they are widely used, in small-scale and large-scale water treatment/filtration systems to remove contaminants and unpleasant tastes and odor from both tap and well water. Here we’ll tackle everything you need to know about activated carbon and the activated carbon filter in water filtering including how they work and the various types available plus their advantages and disadvantage.Ĭarbon water filters have been a standard part of water treatment for quite a long time now (for centuries actually since the time of ancient Egyptians).
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