Activated Carbon
What Is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, activated coal, or active carbon, is a highly effective adsorbent. Its large internal surface area, micro, meso, and macropore structure, and high surface reactivity make it suitable for purifying, dechlorinating, deodorizing, and decolorizing both liquid and vapor phase applications.
Activated carbon is an economical adsorbent used across industries including water purification, food grade products, cosmetology, automotive applications, industrial gas purification, petroleum processing, and precious metal recovery, particularly gold. Common raw materials include coconut shell, coal, and wood.
Explore the complete range of activated carbon products or learn more about activated carbon applications.
Activated Carbon Applications
Different types and grades of activated carbon are designed for specific applications. Common categories include:
- Granulated activated carbon
- Pelletized activated carbon
- Powdered activated carbon
- Impregnated activated carbon
- Catalytic activated carbon
Selecting the correct product, grade, and mesh size depends on the application, contaminants being treated, and filtration system requirements.
Typical applications include:
- Removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as Benzene, TCE, and PCE
- Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), Siloxanes, and waste gas removal
- Bacteria inhibition in drinking water filters using impregnated activated carbon
- Removal of taste and odor causing compounds such as MIB and geosmin
- Gold recovery
- Chlorine and chloramine removal
Activated carbon is widely used in water treatment, air and gas purification, metal recovery, and food and beverage applications.
Effective filtration also depends on system design. Contact time, pressure drop, and vessel size must be considered alongside the physical and chemical characteristics of the activated carbon. ASTM test methods can be used to evaluate properties such as iodine number, CTC, butane activity, surface area, density, and water content (moisture). Where application specific material evaluation is required, laboratory testing can support product selection.
Activated carbon is considered one of the world's most powerful adsorbents and can offer environmental benefits through its ability to be regenerated.
Types of Activated Carbon
Activated carbon and activated charcoal refer to the same material, although the raw material, physical form, treatment, and performance characteristics vary according to the intended application.
Coconut Shell Based Activated Carbon
Coconut shell based activated carbon has a very large internal surface area dominated by micropores. Its high hardness, low dust generation, and purity make it particularly suitable for water treatment, critical air applications, point of use water filters, and respirators.
Key characteristics include:
- Very high surface area with a large proportion of micropores
- High hardness and low dust generation
- Excellent purity, with most products containing no more than 3–5% ash
- Renewable raw material
Coal Based Activated Carbon
Coal based activated carbon is an economical filter medium used in both gas and liquid phase applications. It offers a high surface area with a combination of mesopores and micropores.
Key characteristics include:
- Consistent density
- High hardness with minimal dust generation
- Economical performance
Wood Based Activated Carbon
Wood based activated carbon provides performance characteristics that differ from coal and coconut based products. Its high surface area contains both mesopores and micropores, while its pore structure gives it excellent decolorizing properties.
Key characteristics include:
- Relatively low density
- Renewable raw material
- Excellent decolorization performance
Catalytic Activated Carbon
Catalytic carbon is a class of activated carbon used primarily to remove chloramines and hydrogen sulfide from drinking water. It retains the adsorptive characteristics of conventional activated carbon while also promoting chemical reactions.
Catalytic Carbon Without Chemical Impregnation
Catalytic carbon is produced by modifying the surface structure of activated carbon through high temperature gas processing rather than impregnating it with caustic chemicals. This changes its electronic structure and increases catalytic activity for reducing chloramine and H₂S in water.
Because no impregnates are used, catalytic carbon avoids the reduced organic odor capacity and higher bed fire potential associated with some impregnated carbons.
Catalytic carbon can economically treat H₂S concentrations as high as 20–30 ppm. Adsorbed H₂S is converted into water soluble sulfuric and sulfurous acids, allowing some carbon systems to be regenerated by water washing and reducing the frequency of physical changeouts.
Impregnated Activated Carbon
Surface impregnation chemically modifies activated carbon by distributing chemicals and metal particles throughout the internal pore surfaces. The interaction between the carbon and impregnating chemicals can significantly increase adsorption capacity and enable removal of gas phase contaminants that conventional activated carbon may not effectively treat.
Water Treatment
Silver impregnated activated carbon has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties and can be used as an adsorbent in domestic and other water purification systems.
Gas Purification
Impregnated activated carbon is used in flue gas treatment at coal fired power plants and in other air pollution control applications. Specific impregnations can target:
- Acid gases
- Ammonia and amines
- Aldehydes
- Radioactive iodine
- Mercury
- Arsine
- Phosphine
- Other inorganic gases
Metal oxide impregnated carbon can also target gases including HCN, H₂S, phosphine, and arsine.
Activated Carbon and Activated Charcoal by Physical Form
Activated carbon is available in several physical forms. The appropriate form depends on the contaminants being treated, the application, and filtration system requirements.
Granular Activated Carbon
Granular activated carbon, also called granular activated charcoal, is widely used in filtration systems. Certain impregnated products are also supplied in granular form for smaller and specialty applications.
Powdered Activated Carbon
Powdered activated carbon, also called powdered activated charcoal, can be selected for applications requiring finely divided adsorbent material.
Pelletized Activated Carbon
Pelletized activated carbon, also called pelletized activated charcoal, is used in applications including air purification, vapor phase treatment, sulfur removal, and treatment of alkaline gases and fumes.
Choosing the Right Physical Form
When selecting granular, powdered, or pelletized activated carbon, consider:
- Application and contaminants
- Product grade and mesh size
- Butane activity
- Surface area
- Density
- Water content or moisture
- Required contact time
- Pressure drop
- Vessel size
These material and system characteristics influence contaminant removal performance and overall filtration efficiency.
Activated Carbon Applications by Treatment Need
The appropriate activated carbon or activated charcoal product depends on the contaminant, process conditions, and treatment objective.
Activated Carbon for Water Treatment
Activated carbon can purify, dechlorinate, deodorize, and decolorize liquid applications.
Typical water treatment uses include:
- Chlorine and chloramine removal
- Removal of taste and odor causing compounds such as MIB and geosmin
- Use of impregnated activated carbon as a bacteria inhibitor in drinking water filters
- Removal of chloramines and hydrogen sulfide using catalytic activated carbon
Learn more about activated carbon for water treatment.
Activated Carbon for Air and Gas Purification
Activated carbon is widely used in industrial gas purification and vapor phase treatment.
Depending on the carbon type, it can be applied to contaminants including:
- VOCs
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Waste gases
- Acid gases
- Ammonia and amines
- Mercaptans
- Sulfur compounds
- Odours
- Other gaseous contaminants
Specialized products can also be used for process gas purification, chemical storage vent treatment, air purification, tank vent emissions, and HVAC systems.
Explore activated carbon for air and gas purification.
Activated Carbon for VOC and Odor Control
Activated carbon is commonly used to remove VOCs such as Benzene, TCE, and PCE and to control taste and odor causing compounds such as MIB and geosmin.
For vapor phase applications, specialized activated carbon can be used for odour and VOC control, tank vent emissions, solvent degreasing, compressed gas oil separation, and HVAC systems.
Activated Carbon for Hydrogen Sulfide and Sulfur Removal
Several activated carbon products are designed for H₂S and sulfur treatment:
- Catalytic activated carbon removes hydrogen sulfide from drinking water.
- Certain activated carbon grades provide rapid H₂S removal and high sulfur loading capacity for high performance sulfur removal applications.
- Other activated carbon products adsorb hydrogen sulfide, organic mercaptans, certain organic sulphides, sulfur dioxide, general acid gases, and other odours and contaminants.
Activated Carbon for Ammonia and Alkaline Gases
Impregnated activated carbon can remove ammonia and amines.
Specialized impregnated activated carbon is designed for alkaline gases and fumes, including ammonia, low boiling point amines, other organic derivatives of ammonia, and related alkaline odours and contaminants.
Activated Carbon for Acid Gases
Impregnated activated carbon can be formulated for acid gas removal.
Certain impregnated activated carbon products provide filtration against inorganic acids and acid gases, while others are specifically developed for enhanced acid gas removal.
Activated Carbon for Metal Recovery
Activated carbon is used for precious metal recovery, particularly gold recovery.
Learn more about activated carbon for metal recovery.
Activated Carbon for Food and Beverage Applications
Activated carbon is used in food grade products and can help decolorize liquid applications.
Learn more about activated carbon for food and beverage applications.
How to Select the Right Activated Carbon
Choosing the correct activated carbon requires evaluating both the contaminant and the operating conditions of the filtration system.
Key material characteristics include:
- Butane activity
- Surface area
- Density
- Water content or moisture
Product type, grade, and mesh size should be matched to the intended application and contaminants being removed.
Material testing is an important part of the selection process. ASTM test methods can be used to evaluate activated carbon properties and identify suitable materials for a particular application.
Learn more about laboratory testing.
Activated Carbon Filtration System Considerations
Activated carbon performance depends on both the adsorbent and the filtration system design.
Important system considerations include:
- Sufficient contact time
- Appropriate pressure drop
- Correct vessel size
- Carbon form and particle size
- Physical and chemical properties of the selected carbon
Activated carbon is available in granular and extruded pellet forms and in multiple sizes to suit different filtration requirements.
Explore available filter vessels.
Activated Carbon Services
Activated carbon requirements can extend beyond initial product selection to testing, system servicing, changeouts, and reactivation.
Available services include:
Explore all activated carbon services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Activated Carbon and Activated Charcoal
Yes. Activated carbon is also called activated charcoal, activated coal, or active carbon. The terminology refers to the same material, although its raw material, form, and treatment can vary.
Activated carbon is a highly effective adsorbent with a large internal surface area, developed pore structure, and high surface reactivity. These properties allow it to purify, dechlorinate, deodorize, and decolorize liquid and vapor phase applications.
Common raw materials for activated carbon include coconut shell, coal, and wood.
Activated carbon is used in water purification, food grade products, automotive applications, industrial gas purification, petroleum processing, and precious metal recovery, particularly gold.
Typical contaminant removal applications include VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, waste gases, taste and odor causing compounds, chlorine, and chloramine.
Explore activated carbon applications.
The main types covered here include:
- Coconut shell based activated carbon
- Coal based activated carbon
- Wood based activated carbon
- Catalytic activated carbon
- Impregnated activated carbon
Activated carbon is also available in granular, powdered, and pelletized physical forms.
Because activated charcoal and activated carbon are the same material, activated charcoal is available in:
Coconut shell based activated carbon has a highly microporous internal structure, high hardness, and low dust generation.
Coal based activated carbon contains both mesopores and micropores and is widely used for gas and liquid phase applications.
Wood based activated carbon also contains mesopores and micropores and is particularly valued for its decolorizing properties.
Select the product type, grade, and mesh size according to the application and contaminants being removed.
Material characteristics such as butane activity, surface area, density, and moisture should also be evaluated, together with filtration system factors such as contact time, pressure drop, and vessel size.
Catalytic activated carbon is used to remove chloramines and hydrogen sulfide from drinking water. In addition to conventional adsorption, it promotes chemical reactions that enhance contaminant removal.
Learn more about catalytic activated carbon.
Impregnated activated carbon is chemically modified by distributing chemicals and metal particles throughout the internal surfaces of its pores. This enhances its ability to remove specific contaminants.
It is used in applications including water treatment and gas purification.
Learn more about impregnated activated carbon.
Yes. Catalytic activated carbon can remove hydrogen sulfide from drinking water.
Certain activated carbon products are designed for high performance sulfur removal, while others adsorb hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds.
Yes. Activated carbon can remove volatile organic compounds such as Benzene, TCE, and PCE.
Yes. Activated carbon, or activated charcoal, is widely used for deodorization and removal of taste and odor causing compounds.
Specialized activated carbon products can also control odours in air and gas treatment applications.
Yes. Activated carbon is used for chlorine and chloramine removal. Catalytic activated carbon is specifically used to remove chloramines from drinking water.
Contact time, pressure drop, and vessel size affect how effectively an activated carbon filtration system operates. They must be considered alongside the carbon's physical and chemical characteristics to achieve effective contaminant removal.
Yes. Activated carbon can be regenerated in certain applications.
Learn more about activated carbon reactivation.
Learn More About Activated Carbon
For additional technical and application focused information, visit the Activated Carbon Knowledge Center.
You can also explore:
- What is Activated Carbon? A Refined Guide
- Advanced Activated Carbon Solutions for Water Purification
- Flue Gas Treatment With Activated Carbon
Request a Quote
For product enquiries and quotation requests, contact Carbon Activated Corporation.
Click Here to Ask for a Quote
