All About Activated Carbon
Diverse raw material sources
Activated carbon can be made from a wide variety of materials including wood, bamboo, rice hulls, sawdust, coconut shells, as well as coal sources.
Long lifespan
Activated carbon’s lifespan depends on the intended application and the size of the contactor but can typically last months to years before needing replacement. Spent activated carbon can be recycled through reactivation, extending its useful life.
Vast potential for decontamination
Activated carbon can be used to remove many undesirable elements from water, including:
- taste- and odor-producing compounds
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- natural organic material
- synthetic organic compounds (including toxic and carcinogenic compounds)
- disinfection byproducts
- heavy metals
- PFOA/PFOS and other short and long chain PFAS compounds
Incredibly high surface area
Activated carbon has an extensive network of microscopic pores to trap contaminants. The surface area varies depending on the raw material used, from about 500 m2/g to 1500 m2/g. This means that about 5 grams of activated carbon can contain the same surface area as an American football field! This is only one of the reasons the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveres activated carbon as the best available technology for drinking water treatment.
