What Is Activated Carbon And What Does It Do?

Activated carbon is a highly permeable substance that attracts and holds organic chemicals from vapor and liquid streams cleaning them of unwanted chemicals.  It is very cost effective for treating large volumes of air to diminish concentrations of contamination.  The media is created by burning a carbonaceous substance without oxygen which makes a carbon “char.”  Then the “char” is treated chemically and/or physically to develop a series of “holes” or pores inside the carbon.  This pore network results in an extremely large surface area that can attract and hold organic chemicals.

Organic chemicals are attracted to carbon the best. Few inorganic chemicals will be removed by carbon. The molecular weight, polarity, and temperature of the air stream and concentration in the stream are all factors that affect the capacity of the carbon for the material to be removed. Odors and volatile organic compounds such as Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, oils and some chlorinated compounds are removed through use of carbon.

Activated carbon adsorbs.  Adsorption is a process whereby molecules stick to the surface area only.  Adsorption is a process whereby molecules stick to the surface area only. Activated carbon has a large surface area due to being a porous material.  This is different than absorption.  An example of absorption is a sponge soaking up water.  The water is fully interspersed into the sponge, not being limited to the surface area.  As activated carbon adsorbs, the unwanted substances stick to the surface area of the carbon particles.