What is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a crude form of graphite, the substance used for pencil leads. It differs from graphite by having a random imperfect structure which is highly porous over a broad range of pore sizes from visible cracks and crevices to molecular dimensions. The graphite structure gives the carbon it's very large surface area which allows the carbon to adsorb a wide range of compounds.
Activated carbon (activated charcoal) has the strongest physical adsorption forces or the highest volume of adsorbing porosity of any material known to mankind.
Activated carbon (activated charcoal) can have a surface of greater than 1000m²/g. This means 3g of activated carbon can have the surface area of a football field.
What is adsorption ?
Adsorption is the process by which liquid or gaseous molecules are concentrated on a solid surface, in this case activated carbon (activated charcoal). This is different from absorption, where molecules are taken up by a liquid or gas.
Click here for more information on adsorption.
What is activated carbon made from ?
Activated carbon (activated charcoal) can made from many substances containing a high carbon content such as coal, wood and coconut shells. The raw material has a very large influence on the characteristics and performance of the activated carbon (acitvated charcoal).
Forms of activated carbon
There are three main forms of activated carbon (activated charcoal). |
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) - irregular shaped particles with sizes ranging from 0.2 to 5 mm. This type is used in both liquid and gas phase applications. |
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Powder Activated Carbon (PAC) - pulverized carbon with a size predominantly less than 0.18mm (US Mesh 80). These are mainly used in liquid phase applications and for flue gas treatment. |
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Extruded Activated Carbon - extruded and cylindrical shaped with diameters from 0.8 to 5 mm. These are mainly used for gas phase applications because of their low pressure drop, high mechanical strength and low dust content. |
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Charcoal Activated Carbon Cloth - Activated carbon is also available in special forms such as a cloth and fibres. |
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Briquettes - Activated carbons can be agglomerated and formed into a variety of briquettes. |
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"The Customer Can Have Any Color He Wants So Long As It's Black". - Henry Ford - If you need activated carbon in a different colour please contact us to discuss your requirements. |