Producing and Using Activated Carbon

Producing and Using Activated Carbon

Activated carbon has many different uses that are beneficial to one’s health. But first, it is important to understand what activated carbon is. Activated carbon is a porous version of carbon that is processed in an activated carbon factory. It is especially used for absorption, chemical reaction, and water and gas purification. Thanks to their porous nature, they have a very broad surface area tucked into tunnels and holes all across their surfaces. And how is the activated carbon produced?

How to Manufacture Activated Carbon

Activated carbon can be produced in two ways. The first method is called pyrolysis where the curbanaceos source, which could be peat, coal, or other organic carbonaceous material is carbonized. After the carbonization, the material is oxidized or it is treated with oxygen by exposing it to CO2 or steam.

Carbonization

The process of carbonization usually entails taking a material that is rich in carbon and turning it to pure carbon by heating. This heating process is derived from an ancient technique that was used for making charcoal. It normally requires a highly carbonaceous material because the end material needs to be very porous in order to perform the functions meant for activated carbon. In this case, a carbon-rich material is put in a small furnance and heated to extreme temperatures that peak at 2000 degrees celsius. What usually remains is 20-30 percent of the weight that was used at the beginning which consists mainly of carbon and a tiny percentage of inorganic ash.

The moment the porous form of carbon is ready, it is required to go through oxidation to make it absorbent – and that usually occurs in either one of two ways” Chemical or gas treament.

The gas treatment is done directly by heating the material in a chamber while gas is channeled in, while the chemical treatment is done by bathing the material in acid or other chemical.

Activated carbon has many uses and it is beneficial to understand how it is prepared.

Comments are closed.