Activated carbon is a widely-liked alternative that works well for complete water filtration, for both domestic and commercial use. Today, we will talk about the many varieties of activated carbon used in industrial settings, as part of our quest to understand more about this water purification technology.
Let's first define activated carbon in order to better comprehend the different forms of activated carbon, used to purify water.
What is activated carbon?
This rough variety of graphite, sometimes known as activated charcoal, is distinct from the kind of graphite used to make pencil leads. Given that it has a porous, excessively porous structure with big pores and obvious crevices and cracks in its molecular dimension, activated carbon stands out from other types of carbon.
The carbon can absorb a wide spectrum of chemical or organic molecules because to the huge surface area, which this particular graphite structure gives it. With the largest porosity and adsorbing volume, activated carbon offers the strongest forces for physical adsorption.
You might now wonder what adsorption actually is. So there you have it!
Adsorption is the process by which molecules from a gas or liquid are added to a solid surface. Unlike absorption, where the molecules are really absorbed by the gas or liquid object, this particular phenomenon is distinct from absorption.
How many types of activated carbon for water filtration?
Coconut shells, coal, and wood are a few examples of materials with a high carbon content, which can be used to make activated carbon. These raw materials undoubtedly have a significant impact on the functionality and properties of this activated carbon.
For various purifying applications, activated carbon is available in more than 100 variations, such as:
• EAC or Extruded/Palletised Activated Carbon
• GAC or Granular Activated Carbon
• PAC or Powdered Activated Carbon
• Acid-Washed & High-Purity Activated Carbon
• Specialty Impregnated Carbon
Let's examine a few of the widely used types of activated carbon:
1. GAC, or granular activated carbon, is a class of particles with irregular shapes and sizes ranging from 0.2 to 5 mm. This specific activated carbon kind is employed in applications involving liquid and gas phases.
2. Powder activated carbon, often known as PAC, is a type of pulverised carbon that typically has a size that is smaller than 0.18 mm. These are mainly applied in the liquid phase and are also used to treat flue gas.
3. EAC or Extruded Activated Carbon: The diameter of EACs, which are cylindrical or extruded-shaped carbon particles, ranges from 0.8 to 5 millimetres. Given that gaseous phase applications tend to have characteristics like, high mechanical vigour, lower pressure descents, and low dust density, these applications are where it is most frequently used.
Additionally, activated carbon is offered in a variety of forms, including fibres and clothing.
What causes molecules to adsorb on activated carbon?
The London Dispersion Forces, a subset of the Van der Waals Force that exist between the molecules, are what cause the adsorption process to take place.
These forces are extremely short-ranged and hence highly sensitive to the total separation, between the adsorbate molecule and carbon surface of activated carbon. Additionally, because molecules are additive in nature, this force is a result of all of the interactions between the many atoms.
Adsorption can be of two types:
• Liquid-Phase Adsorption: In this scenario, the pores are present in a semi-liquid condition as the molecules begin transitioning, from the bulk category to the adsorption category. Now, the adsorption driving force aids in calculating the compound solubility concentration ratio.
• Gaseous-Phase Adsorption: This condensation process uses the adsorbing power of the carbon to enable all the molecules, which are present in a bulk stage, condense inside the pores of the activated carbon.
The ratio between the vapour pressure and partial pressure of the carbon compound, in other words, serves as the driving force for adsorption.
What substances have the ability to adsorb?
Almost every component can be adsorbed to some degree in general. In actuality, however, activated charcoal is utilized to adsorb organic substances like mercury and iodine, which have a higher inorganic molecular weight. Therefore, the polarizability of the molecule, which is related to the electron clouds in the molecule, increases along with:
• Increasing the molecule's weight
• A staggering amount of the functional groups, such as double bonds or halogen compounds
Conclusion
Water can be maintained using activated carbon in its cleanest and purest state, for use in domestic or commercial applications. You can use activated carbon to get quicker results with excellent efficiency, and reduce your energy costs.
Are you anticipating the implementation of an energy-efficient approach for your water filtration system?
If so, Netsol Water is available to assist you. Our staff of qualified experts can assist you in completing your filtering process flawlessly, and with the fewest possible errors.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.