Water Treatment Chemicals
29 April 2019
Activated carbon, often referred to as activated charcoal, is a powerhouse material with a vast surface area and microscopic pores, making it essential for purifying air, water, and industrial chemicals. Its high adsorption capacity enables it to trap impurities from liquids and gases, making it a critical component in global industrial applications, especially water treatment.
Activated carbon is a carbonaceous material processed to have an extensive internal pore structure. These pores give it a remarkably high surface area, up to 3,000 square meters per gram, which enables it to adsorb a wide variety of substances.
It is commonly available in three primary forms:
Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC): Fine particles ideal for quick adsorption in batch processes.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Larger particles suitable for continuous-flow filtration systems.
Extruded Activated Carbon: Cylindrical form with high mechanical strength, often used in air and gas purification.
Activated carbon is typically manufactured from raw materials rich in carbon, such as coal, wood, or coconut shells. The production involves two key stages:
Carbonization: Heating the raw material in an oxygen-free environment to remove volatile compounds.
Activation: Developing the porous structure through:
Physical activation, using steam or carbon dioxide at high temperatures.
Chemical activation, using agents like phosphoric acid or potassium hydroxide.
Environmentally conscious manufacturers are increasingly adopting coconut shell-based carbon, a renewable and sustainable source.
Once produced, activated carbon is applied across industries for its strong purification capabilities.
Activated carbon is a multipurpose material used in industries worldwide:
Water Treatment
Activated carbon for water treatment is one of its most widespread uses. It removes:
Chlorine
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Pesticides and herbicides
Natural organic matter and odor-causing substances
Applications include municipal water treatment, industrial effluent treatment, and point-of-use filtration systems.
Air and Gas Purification
Used to adsorb VOCs, sulfur compounds, and other harmful gases in industrial air streams.
Food and Beverage
Used in sugar decolorization, beverage purification, and food processing to remove undesired colors and flavors.
Pharmaceuticals
Employed in drug manufacturing and as an antidote for poisoning due to its adsorption properties.
Gold Recovery & Chemical Processing
In the mining industry, activated carbon helps in the extraction of gold through the cyanide process. It's also used in various chemical manufacturing processes to purify reactants and products.
Activated carbon offers numerous operational and environmental advantages. It delivers high adsorption efficiency across a broad range of pollutants. Many systems allow for its regeneration and reuse, reducing total lifecycle costs.
Moreover, it helps industries comply with increasingly strict environmental and safety regulations. Available in a variety of forms and specifications, activated carbon is adaptable to nearly every purification challenge.
Several factors influence how effectively activated carbon performs in a given application:
Molecular Weight: Larger molecules are more readily adsorbed, though extremely large ones may not fit into smaller pores.
pH Level: The adsorption efficiency can vary with solution pH, especially when dealing with ionizable compounds.
Particle Size: Smaller carbon particles provide faster adsorption due to a larger exposed surface area, but can cause higher pressure drops.
Flow Rate: Shorter contact time due to higher flow rates can reduce adsorption efficiency.
Temperature: Adsorption is generally exothermic, meaning higher temperatures may lower the effectiveness for some compounds.
Understanding and optimizing these parameters is crucial for maximizing the value of activated carbon in industrial systems.
The global activated carbon market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing environmental awareness, stricter regulatory standards, and a growing demand for clean water and air. Major consumers include the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and several Southeast Asian nations.
As a global chemical distributor, Tradeasia International plays a key role in connecting manufacturers with high-quality activated carbon solutions. Whether for water treatment, food production, or chemical processing, Tradeasia ensures reliable supply, technical support, and cost-effective logistics worldwide.
Activated carbon is more than just a filter material, it’s an essential industrial resource that enables clean, compliant, and cost-efficient operations. With its high adsorption capability and versatility, it continues to be a cornerstone in global purification systems.
Looking for reliable activated carbon sourcing? Contact us today to discuss technical specifications or request a sample tailored to your application.
Bansal, R. C., & Goyal, M. (2005). Activated Carbon Adsorption. CRC Press.
Marsh, H., & Rodríguez-Reinoso, F. (2006). Activated Carbon. Elsevier Science.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Activated Carbon Treatment. https://www.epa.gov/water-research
Calgon Carbon. (2024). Activated Carbon Solutions. https://www.calgoncarbon.com
Lenntech B.V. (2024). Activated Carbon Filtration. https://www.lenntech.com/library/adsorption/adsorption.html
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