What is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon is a highly porous carbonaceous material that physically or chemically attracts organic compounds. This attraction is called adsorption. Activated carbon is manufactured by exposing the carbonaceous material to extremely high temperatures without oxygen. Once this is completed, the material is exposed to Oxygen. This process develops the activated carbon’s internal pore structure, where adsorption occurs.
Activated carbon is so porous that a teaspoon is said to have more surface area than a football field.
How is Activated Carbon Used?
Physical adsorption occurs when activated carbon adsorbs organic compounds from either a liquid or air stream. These compounds are physically attracted to the internal pore structure of the activated carbon by weak bonds. Chemical adsorption occurs when a chemical reaction occurs on the surface of the activated carbon particle.
An example of chemical adsorption is Chlorine removal from water.
Types of Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon is manufactured from various raw materials, such as coal, lignite, coconut shell and wood. The various raw materials allow for different sized internal pore structures.
For example, coconut shell activated carbons have a smaller internal pore structure, making them suitable for removal of smaller organic compounds, where lignite and wood based activated carbon offers a larger internal pore structure for removal of larger organic compounds, such as color bodies. Activated carbons manufactured from coal have a range of pore sizes making them suitable for removal of a wide range of organic compounds.
General Carbon Knows Activated Carbon
General Carbon has been in the activated carbon business for over 50 years. We inventory a variety of products from all of various raw materials mentioned above, including granular products for liquid and vapor phase dynamic applications, pellets for vapor phase dynamic applications and powdered carbon for liquid phase static applications. We also inventory impregnated activated carbons to enhance specific compound removal.
If you’re looking for a specialized type of activated carbon for a specialized type of application, chances are we have it–or we can get it for you. In fact, we can have carbon made to almost any specification.
Contact our knowledgeable staff for your activated carbon needs by calling (973) 523-2223 for pricing and information.
Here is a list of industries we serve.
Want to learn more? Keep reading for more about General Carbon’s Activated Carbon Services
Vapor Phase Activated Carbon
General Carbon carries a complete line of activated carbon made from coal, coconut shell and wood for most vapor phase and air applications. These include impregnated carbons for specialty applications and high capacity non-impregnated carbon for H2S control. In addition, our specialty medias are ideal for the treatment of many contaminants that activated carbon may struggle with. Orders of bulk activated carbon are welcome.
Liquid Phase Activated Carbon
Like vapor phase carbon, General Carbon’s liquid phase activated carbon products are made from coal, coconut shell and wood for most liquid phase and water applications. These include acid washed activated carbon for drinking water and food grade applications as well as products suitable for waste water remediation, de-colorization applications, chemical and pharmaceutical purification. Additionally, our specialty medias are best for the treatment of non-emulsified oils and heavy metals. Our stock of activated carbon for liquid phase applications are all manufactured in an NSF/ANSI certified plant, meaning that they are approved for treatment of food grade applications.
Note: products marked with an “asterisk” (*) are available via special order only.