Activated carbon is a vital compound used in many industries. It is safe and highly versatile, with dozens of specific uses
The compound can enhance public safety by removing dangerous chemicals from the air, soil, water, oil, and gases. It also improves the quality of food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. This blog will explore how activated carbon works, provide use cases, and describe its use in chemical decontamination.
How Activated Carbon Works
Activated carbon is a valuable compound with many industrial applications. The substance is an adsorption medium that attracts organic materials and enables their safe removal.
To create activated carbon, manufacturers superheat wood, coal, or clean agricultural waste like coconut shells in an oxygen-free environment to create a substance called char.
Manufacturers can treat the resulting char with heat or chemicals to create activated carbon. The second process dramatically increases the surface area of the carbon particles, opening micropores where organic material can adsorb.
Applications of Activated Carbon
Water Filtration
The substance is part of water filtration systems at home and in public settings. It removes tastes, odors, heavy metals, and chlorine but cannot remove bacteria.
Air and Gas Purification
Activated carbon is a critical component of many air and gas filters in HVAC systems and industrial use.
Food and Beverage Purification
Activated carbon can remove chemicals, tastes, and odors from food and beverage products like glycerine, sweeteners, and syrups.
Pharmaceutical Use
Activated carbon can treat poisoning by adsorbing dangerous chemicals to flush them out of the body.
Chemical Contaminant Removal
Several industries use activated carbon to purify their raw materials and final products.
Chemical Contaminant Removal With Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is a versatile and highly effective tool for removing chemical contaminants. It adsorbs organic molecules and some heavy metals from liquids, gases, and soils, making it an efficient compound with many uses.
Following are several examples of contaminants activated carbon can remove:
- PFOS and PFOA
- Chlorine
- Chloramine
- Copper
- Lead
- Disinfectants
- Herbicides and pesticides
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Organic acids
- Organic compounds that cause foul tastes and odors
Advantages of Activated Carbon
Easy to Source
Manufacturers can create activated carbon from various raw materials, including wood, coal, and coconut shells.
Well-Tested Contaminant Removal
Activated carbon is a safe, well-studied medium for contaminant removal. As long as companies pay attention to the properties of activated carbon, it provides quick and efficient purification.
Adsorbs Many Chemicals
Activated carbon can remove many hazardous chemicals, from heavy metals to organic acids and volatile compounds.
Non-Toxic
Activated carbon is safe enough to use as a human pharmaceutical for treating poisoning and in food and beverage purification.
Can Be Regenerated
Activated carbon can be used again when reprocessed. Methods include chemical regeneration and thermal reactivation.
Visit Puragen Activated Carbons to learn more about why activated carbon is a versatile solution for chemical contaminant removal.