How Activated Carbon Works
Activated carbon is an effective filtering material; highly porous with
immense surface area. The most common description of activated carbon
is that it acts like a sponge, sucking contaminates from liquids and
gasses.
Activated carbon removes many organic and some specific inorganic substances, such as chlorine, from common industrial pollutants.
Activated carbon works primarily by adsorption (activated carbon adsorption), that is, contaminants are caught and held on the surface of the exposed carbon molecules. Adsorption does not create a chemical reaction between the activated carbon or contaminates. However, oxygen and hydrogen atoms clinging to the surfaces of the carbon molecules can cause some chemical reaction during the filtering process.
Two mechanisms appear to be simultaneously at work in the filtering process. First, and most simply, particles of contaminants are caught or trapped in the pore spaces of the activated carbon. Second, contaminants are actually held against the walls of the pores by forces that exist between molecules of like substances. These two mechanisms account for the kinds of contaminants removed by the activated carbon filters.
The effectiveness of the activated carbon filtration process depends on the source and characteristics of the carbon source. Pore size and surface area available for the filtering process are crucial. The size of the contaminate material to be removed must be compatible with the pore size of the activated carbon. One would not park a school bus in a single car garage.
The strength of the carbon source is also important. The walls of the carbon pores must withstand the pressures created by the filtration process.
Carbon filtration is most effective with highly concentrated contaminants. Other factors that affect activated carbon filtration are the length of time contaminates remain in the filter (flow rate), temperature, pressure and humidity.
The effectiveness of activated carbon decreases as the pores and bonding sites fill. The activated carbon can be reactivated or replaced.
Activated carbon removes many organic and some specific inorganic substances, such as chlorine, from common industrial pollutants.
Activated carbon works primarily by adsorption (activated carbon adsorption), that is, contaminants are caught and held on the surface of the exposed carbon molecules. Adsorption does not create a chemical reaction between the activated carbon or contaminates. However, oxygen and hydrogen atoms clinging to the surfaces of the carbon molecules can cause some chemical reaction during the filtering process.
Two mechanisms appear to be simultaneously at work in the filtering process. First, and most simply, particles of contaminants are caught or trapped in the pore spaces of the activated carbon. Second, contaminants are actually held against the walls of the pores by forces that exist between molecules of like substances. These two mechanisms account for the kinds of contaminants removed by the activated carbon filters.
The effectiveness of the activated carbon filtration process depends on the source and characteristics of the carbon source. Pore size and surface area available for the filtering process are crucial. The size of the contaminate material to be removed must be compatible with the pore size of the activated carbon. One would not park a school bus in a single car garage.
The strength of the carbon source is also important. The walls of the carbon pores must withstand the pressures created by the filtration process.
Carbon filtration is most effective with highly concentrated contaminants. Other factors that affect activated carbon filtration are the length of time contaminates remain in the filter (flow rate), temperature, pressure and humidity.
The effectiveness of activated carbon decreases as the pores and bonding sites fill. The activated carbon can be reactivated or replaced.