Activated Carbon - Lapis Chem

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Activated Carbon Products

Activated carbon is a solid substance with a porous surface that can combine with different molecular structures. The interaction of activated carbon can be purely physical (through interaction between unconnected atoms or Van der Waals forces) or due to its physical-chemical structure, and its strength can vary depending on the type of molecule and the type of activated carbon. Activated carbon is generally produced through a steam activation process.

In this process, carbon or carbon-containing starting materials are gasified by reacting with steam or other oxidizing materials. Raw materials such as charcoal, coal, lignite, coconut-based coal, peat coal, or wood-based coal are used.

LapisChem serves the industry with product options in different properties, shapes, and sizes (granular, extruded, or powder) to meet the needs in many areas of use.

What is Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon is a solid substance with a porous surface that can combine with different molecular structures. The interaction of activated carbon can be purely physical (through interaction between unconnected atoms or Van der Waals forces) or due to its physical-chemical structure, and its strength can vary depending on the type of molecule and the type of activated carbon. Activated carbon is generally produced through a steam activation process. In this process, carbon or carbon-containing starting materials are gasified by reacting with steam or other oxidizing materials. Raw materials such as charcoal, coal, lignite, coconut-based coal, peat coal, or wood-based coal are used.

Additionally, cellulose-based raw materials can be used in the chemical activation process to activate the raw materials. For example, sawdust is treated with chemicals that cause dehydration at high temperatures. As a result of all processes, porous activated carbon with a highly developed surface area ranging from 500 to 1750 square meters per gram of carbon is obtained.

Surface Area of Activated Carbon

The effectiveness of activated carbon depends on its surface area. Effectiveness increases as the surface area increases. The surface area of activated carbon generally ranges between 500-2000 square meters.

Unique Property of
Coconut-Based
Activated Carbon

Coconut-based Activated Carbon is Considered the most Effective Activated Carbon Produced to Date.

The surface of this activated carbon is highly porous and has a very large surface area.
Its porous structure is suitable for rapid adsorption.
It is a naturally occurring raw material.
It has no carbon emissions.
It has high hardness.
It has very low impurities.

What is Adsorption?

Adsorption is the adhesion of molecules of a substance to the surface of activated carbon. Activated carbon is characterized by high micro and macro pores that allow adsorbates to adhere to the inner surface. There are two types of adsorption.

Physical Adsorption

Physical adsorption occurs when the material to be adsorbed adheres to the inner surface of the activated carbon through Van der Waals forces between molecules. The attractive force decreases as the distance between the pore wall and the molecule increases.

Chemisorption

It occurs through a strong bond between the adsorbate molecules and chemical complexes impregnated into the pore wall of the activated carbon.

What Materials Can be Adsorbed with Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon is generally used to adsorb organic substances. At the same time, some inorganic substances with heavy molecular weights such as iodine and mercury can also be adsorbed.

The Adsorption Capacity of Activated Carbon Increases as:

Molecular weight increases
The number of functional groups increases
Polarity increases.

What is Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)?

Granular activated carbon is the ground and sieved form of activated carbon with an irregular shape. Granular activated carbon is used to purify high volumes of gas or liquid substances. Granular activated carbon is harder and longer-lasting than powdered activated carbon. It can be reactivated and used several times.

What is Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)?

Powdered activated carbon is generally used in liquid phase or flue gas applications. The particle distribution of powdered activated carbon generally ranges from 5 to 150 micrometers. It can be used in batch or continuous processes. Powdered activated carbon cannot be reactivated like granular activated carbon and cannot be reused.

Important Information about Activated Carbon

Properties of Activated Carbon

Surface Area:
The surface area of activated carbon ranges from 500 to 2000 m2/g. In other words, just 3 grams of activated carbon can have a surface area as large as a football field. The surface area of carbonaceous materials can be expanded through the activation process.

Total Pore Volume (TPV):
TPV represents the total volume of space created by the pores within an activated carbon. The effectiveness of activated carbon increases as the total pore volume increases and is expressed in ml/g.

Pore Volume Distribution:
The property of activated carbon is measured by the distribution of pore sizes. For decolorization applications, activated carbon with a high distribution ratio of mesopores is required.

Selection Criteria for Activated Carbon

Resistance to abrasion
Adsorption capacity
Particle size distribution for optimal flow
Adsorption and desorption rate
Suitability for the product's area of use
Some substances that may be effective or interact during carbon loading

Factors that may Affect the Performance of Activated Carbon

Different
Raw Materials

Activation
Feed Rate

Oxygen Content
During Activation

Condition and Size
of Raw Material

Activation
Temperature and Pressure

Final Product
Mixture

LapisChem serves the industry with product options in different properties, shapes, and sizes (granular, extruded, or powder) to meet the needs in many areas of use.

Activated Carbon
Areas of Use

Water Treatment

Activated carbon, in granular (GAC) or powder (PAC) form, is used in water treatment to remove unpleasant odors and tastes from raw water. In wastewater treatment, activated carbon is used in the final stage of the process to remove contaminants such as dyes, surfactants, hydrocarbons, and other contaminants from industrial wastewater. Granular activated carbon is also used in drinking water treatment and dechlorination processes, as well as in filter tanks in wastewater treatment plants. Granular activated carbon is also highly suitable for removing non-biodegradable organic matter dissolved in water.

Drinking Water Purification

The use of activated carbon in the purification process of water suitable for human consumption enables the removal of even very low concentrations of dissolved organic matter. Lapis Kimya offers reactive granular activated carbon (GAC), which is used to remove organic matter, residual chlorine, ozone, and trihalomethanes, and powdered activated carbon (PAC), which is dosed prior to liquid/solid separation processes (filters, strainers, etc.) to remove dissolved organic matter and odor.

Wastewater Treatment

In wastewater treatment, activated carbon is generally used in the final stage to remove dissolved organic matter, surfactants, and hydrocarbons that impart color to water. In this application, granular activated carbon can be used in fixed beds, while powdered activated carbon can be used in filter media for liquid/solid separation. The most common application in wastewater treatment is dosing powdered activated carbon into aeration tanks to remove organics in conjunction with the biodegradation process, enhance nitrification to minimize foam formation, and enhance sludge sedimentation.

Condensate Skimming

In this application, granular activated carbon (GAC) is used to separate organic substances, mostly hydrocarbons, from condensate water recycled into boiler feedwater. In this process, activated carbon is used to protect the resin from organic contamination and reduce the resin's regeneration frequency.

Chlorine Removal

In water treatment processes, water generally needs to be disinfected with chlorine. Residual chlorine must be removed from the process water through filtration with granular activated carbon (GAC). Excess chlorine undergoes a redox reaction with the activated carbon, forming negligible amounts of hydrochloric acid. The chlorine removal capacity of activated carbon is expressed as the "dechlorination half-life," which represents the bed depth required to halve the influent chlorine concentration.

Underground Spring Water Remediation

Spring waters are often contaminated with high amounts of organic matter. The pollutants are often hydrocarbons originating from refineries and petrol stations. In such processes, granular activated carbon selected with the correct adsorption capacity and particle size provides highly efficient, long-lasting, and effective results in removing hydrocarbons.

Gas - Air Purification

An important feature of activated carbon used in air and gas purification applications is its ability to adsorb organic and odor-causing molecules. The most common problem encountered in gas purification is the low adsorption rate of low-molecular-weight toxic substances, mostly inorganic, onto activated carbon. In such cases, it is possible to use activated carbons impregnated with various chemical products that can bind low-molecular-weight toxic substances or convert them to non-volatile, odorless forms.

Cold Storage

Long-term preservation of agricultural and perishable products is possible by slowly and controlledly ripening the metabolism of fruits and vegetables. During cold storage, these products produce carbon dioxide gas, which accelerates decomposition and must be removed from the environment. In these processes, activated carbon is used in cold storage areas to prevent decomposition, minimize losses, and extend storage time by adsorbing carbon dioxide.

Paint Booths

To comply with atmospheric emissions regulations, activated carbon filters must be installed at the ventilation outlets of paint booths. For this application, a filter containing at least 150 kg of extruded activated carbon is required.