Can you imagine the filter industry without carbon? Well, we cannot because carbon simply dominates the world of filters. However, we are not talking about ordinary carbon, and we are taking the game one step ahead. We are going to discuss activated carbon. In this article, we will discuss the science behind activated carbon, how it is formed, and its use in filters.
What Is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbons are perforated with small pores that increase their surface area tremendously. Hence, a small quantity of this substance has a large surface area. Such that, a teaspoon of activated carbon has a surface area similar to a football field. However, why would we want a large surface? What’s so attractive about it? A large area means that there would be more space for reactions to occur. Thus, this will lead to faster reactions. Inevitably, a few grams of carbon can successfully deal with a considerable amount of pollutants. Thus, it’s a win-win situation on every front.
How To Activate Carbon?
It all starts with a carbon source which is then activated by either thermal or chemical means.
Thermal Activation: As the name suggests, heat plays a critical role in shaping the final product. The carbon raw material is exposed to hot gases to heat it. After heat exposure, steam is introduced to help with pores opening.
Chemical Activation: This process is much quicker and uses a mixture of chemical and heat treatment. Firstly, the raw material is doused with a strong chemical, such as an acid or a base. Then the material is exposed to heat to activate it quickly.
Nonetheless, whatever the process, we have an end product with a large surface area. However, not every activated carbon is the same, as some have high perforation while others lack in that regard. We will discuss those carbons that are commonly used in the filtration process.
How Does Water And Gas Filter Use Activated Carbon?
When the air and water contact the carbon sheets, the intermolecular forces draw the molecules out of the mix and stick to the carbon. This process of sticking is known as adsorption. Apart from enabling molecular adhesion, carbon can also facilitate chemical reactions. This property helps to break down chemicals such as chlorine out of the water. Similarly, carbon can filter out odors, fumes, and other volatile organic compounds from the air it comes in contact with.
What Are Factors That Affect The Efficiency Of Filter?
A few factors can have a substantial impact on how your filter works. Firstly, the surface area of the filter matters. Hence, the more area it has, the better will be its performance. Other than that, the contact time also matters. If the contact time is increased, carbon has a better chance to filter out the molecules. Other factors such as the amount of pollution, temperature, and the acidity of water or air also play a critical role.
Conclusion:
With that, we wrap our discussion about activated carbon filters. Now, you know how amazing carbon filters are, so feel free to shop for them. Clean Liquid System can cater to all your needs. Call us at 713-253-0100 for more inquiries.