ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER

Activated carbon filter is used to purify liquids and gases in a variety of applications, including municipal drinking water, food and beverage processing, odor removal, industrial pollution control.

Activated carbon is produced from carbonaceous source materials, such as coconuts, nutshells, coal, peat, and wood.

The primary raw material used for activated carbon is any organic material with high carbon content.
Adsorption is a process where a solid is used for removing a soluble substance from the water. In this process active carbon is the solid. Activated carbon is produced specifically so as to achieve a very big internal surface (between 500 – 1500 m2/g). This big internal surface makes active carbon ideal for adsorption. Active carbon comes in two variations: Powder Activated Carbon (PAC) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). 

Puritech filtration equipment features an excellent design with high-quality components to offer high performance. Puritech systems are designed for the longest life span with minimum energy consumption. Experience greater savings with lower maintenance and operation costs when you install Puritech filtration equipment.

Product Description:

Carbon filtering is a method of water purification that uses a piece of activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities, utilizing chemical adsorption. Each piece of carbon is designed to provide a large section of surface area, in order to allow contaminants the most possible exposure to the filter media. Puritech carbon filters are most effective at removing chlorine, sediment, and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. Coal and coconut shell-based activated carbon with various sizes are available to choose from for different applications.

Advantages of Activated Carbon Filter

  • Chlorine Removal
  • Chlorine By-Products Removal such as THMs
  • Bad Tastes and Odors Removal
  • Turbidity Removal
  • Herbicides, Pesticides & Insecticides Removal
  • Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) Removal

Activated Charcoal and How It Works

Activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon) consists of small, black beads or a solid black porous sponge. It is used in water filters, medicines that selectively remove toxins, and chemical purification processes.

Activated charcoal is carbon that has been treated with oxygen. The treatment results in highly porous charcoal. These tiny holes give the charcoal a surface area of 300-2,000 m2/g, allowing liquids or gases to pass through the charcoal and interact with the exposed carbon. The carbon adsorbs a wide range of impurities and contaminants, including chlorine, odors, and pigments. Other substances, like sodium, fluoride, and nitrates, are not as attracted to the carbon and are not filtered out. Since adsorption works by chemically binding the impurities to the carbon, the active sites in the charcoal eventually become filled. Activated charcoal filters become less effective with use and have to be recharged or replaced.

What Activated Charcoal Will and Won’t Filter

The most common everyday use of activated charcoal is to filter water. It improves water clarity, diminishes unpleasant odors, and removes chlorine. It’s not effective for removing certain toxic organic compounds, significant levels of metals, fluoride, or pathogens. Despite persistent urban legend, activated charcoal only weakly adsorbs alcohol and it not an effective means of removal.

It will filter:

  • Chlorine
  • Chloramine
  • Tannins
  • Phenol
  • Some drugs
  • Hydrogen sulfide and some other volatile compounds that cause odors
  • Small amounts of metals, such as iron, mercury, and chelated copper

It won’t remove:

  • Ammonia
  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Fluoride
  • Sodium and most other cations
  • Significant amounts of heavy metals, iron, or copper
  • Significant amounts of hydrocarbons or petroleum distillates
  • Bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and other microorganisms

Activated Charcoal Effectiveness

Several factors influence the effectiveness of activated charcoal. The pore size and distribution varies depending on the source of the carbon and the manufacturing process. Large organic molecules are absorbed better than smaller ones. Adsorption tends to increase as pH and temperature decrease. Contaminants are also removed more effectively if they are in contact with the activated charcoal for a longer time, so flow rate through the charcoal affects filtration.

Activated Charcoal De-Adsorption

Some people worry that activated charcoal will de-adsorb when the pores become full. While the contaminants on a full filter aren’t released back into the gas or water, used activated charcoal is not effective for further filtration. It is true that some compounds associated with certain types of activated charcoal may leach into the water. For example, some charcoal used in an aquarium might start to release phosphates into the water over time. Phosphate-free products are available.