What is Activated Carbon?

High surface area carbons, also known as Activated Carbon and activated charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for adsorption, or for chemical reactions. It is used in many products and industries, including energy storage applications such as:

• Lithium-Ion batteries

• Supercapacitors

• Photovoltaic cells

• Natural gas and hydrogen storage

• Water purification

It is used in medical, agriculture, fuel storage, electroplating, and other industrial products. It is found extensively in environmental products including those that remove pollutants from air and water, chemical spill cleanups, drinking water filtration, and soil remediation.

Most activated carbon is currently produced using extremely high temperatures making it both an energetically and commercially expensive process. Newer technologies, such as those used by American BioProcessing, are much more affordable to produce and use much less heat/energy.

Types on the market

Activated carbon is mainly available in three forms or shapes: powder, granular, and extruded. Each form is available in many sizes. Based on the application and requirements, a specific form and size are recommended.

• Powder Form: Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) is a high-performance absorbent engineered to remove harmful contaminants in the air, gas, and liquid phases. The potable water industry has long used PAC products to effectively remove taste and odor compounds, and provide clean water that is safe to drink

• Granular Form: Granular activated carbon (GAC) generally is an organic carbon filtration media — wood, coconut shells, coal or peat — used for water purification, typically applied in a fixed bed application. A filter with GAC can remove certain chemicals, particularly organic contaminants, from water, as well as chemicals that produce odors or tastes to water such as hydrogen sulfide or chlorine. Granular activated carbon notably assists with the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have become an increasing contaminant of concern for regulators. Other chemicals, specifically iron and nitrate, cannot be removed with GAC. GAC should be changed based on contaminant levels and water use, as higher levels or use may require more frequent change-outs.

• Extruded Activated Carbon: combines powdered activated carbon with a binder, which are fused together and extruded into a cylindrical shaped activated carbon block with diameters from 0.8 to 130 mm. These are mainly used for gas phase applications because of their low pressure drop, high mechanical strength and low dust content. Also sold as CTO filter (Chlorine, Taste, Odor).