Granular Activated Carbon
What is Granular Activated Carbon
Granular activated carbon, often abbreviated as GAC, is a high-purity carbon characterized by a large surface area that can be used in many liquid and gas phase purification applications. Particles typically range in size from around 0.2 mm to 5 mm, and the choice of “mesh size” depends on the desired end use of the material. Particles smaller than 0.2 mm are generally classified as powdered activated carbon (or PAC).
Benefits of Granular Activated Carbon
High Mechanical Strength
The long and slender shape of columnar charcoal enables effective mutual support between particles. This structure helps distribute loads under external forces and pressure, enhancing overall mechanical strength.
Low Wear Rate
Columnar charcoal typically has a smaller surface area, resulting in less friction between particles. This contributes to the reduction of particle wear and weathering.
High Adsorption Capacity
Activated carbon pellets possess a high specific surface area and porosity, enabling them to adsorb a significant amount of harmful substances, such as organic compounds and heavy metals in water, as well as volatile organic compounds and smoke in the air.
Environmental Friendliness and Sustainability
Compared to powdered carbon, extruded activated carbon operations are cleaner and more efficient. The adsorption performance of columnar activated carbon can be regenerated through high-temperature steam or chemical agents, reducing operational costs.
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How does Granular Activated Carbon Work
The surface of granular activated carbon is made up of microscopic holes and channels, known as pores, only visible under a suitably powerful microscope. It is these pores that result in its huge surface area – the statistic often quoted is that a teaspoon of granular activated carbon has the same surface area as a football pitch!
When a contaminated fluid passes through a filtration device containing granular activated carbon, the impurities are trapped within these pores in a process called adsorption, allowing the purified fluid to pass through. Typical applications for granular activated carbon include the removal of taste, odour and colour from drinking water, as well as traces of other dissolved contaminants such as pesticides and herbicides.
One of the key advantages with using granular activated carbon for fluid purification, rather than powder activated carbon, is that granular activated carbon can be recycled for reuse via a process called thermal reactivation. Carbon that is spent, ie the pores are filled with contaminants so that the treatment objective is no longer being achieved, can be passed through a high temperature kiln. The contaminant molecules are forced out of the pores and destroyed, leaving a reactivated granular activated carbon ready to be used again and again in the customer’s process.
Global Pelletized Activated Carbon Market: Growth Drivers
A variety of pollutants, such as odors, heavy metals such as mercury, and volatile organic compounds, can be successfully adsorbed by activated carbon. Heavy metal mercury is a poisonous substance that endangers both the environment and human health. Activated carbon that has been pelletized is specially designed to remove mercury as effectively as possible. These pellets are carefully produced with a high surface area and regulated pore structure in order to maximize the amount of mercury that can be absorbed from flue gases or other emission streams. Increased demand for pelletized activated carbon for mercury removal is anticipated to boost market development.
Globally, governments and environmental organizations have put strict controls on manufacturing and industrial activities in an effort to reduce pollution and save the environment. It is necessary to develop efficient air and water filtration systems in order to reduce the number of pollutants that are released into the environment and waterways due to these restrictions. This has led to the increasing demand for pelletized activated carbon.
Activated carbon pellets and activated charcoal are often used interchangeably as they serve similar purposes. Both are forms of activated carbon with highly porous structures used for adsorption and purification. However, their physical forms may differ. Activated charcoal might be in the form of powder, while activated carbon pellets are in granular or pellet form. Despite the difference in appearance, they share similar properties and are utilized for various filtration and purification applications.
How is Pellet Activated Carbon Manufacturing
The first step involves grinding the raw material coal to a certain fineness (generally above 95% passing through 180 mesh). Raw materials suitable for production include anthracite, coconut shell powder, wood, etc. The commonly used material is taixi coal from Ningxia.
After preparing the raw materials, a certain amount of binder (commonly tar) and water are added. When using the catalytic activation method, a certain amount of catalyst is simultaneously added at a certain temperature for a specified duration. The treated hard coal is mixed with a certain proportion of tar, ensuring uniformity for molding.
Once the added binder and water fully infiltrate, permeate, and disperse evenly with the coal powder, the mixture is pressed into charcoal rods using a molding machine under a specific pressure and with a certain diameter extrusion die. The formed columnar charcoal is then dried under specific conditions to maintain a specific moisture content, usually around 10%, to form a robust charcoal structure.
The dried charcoal is placed in a carbonization furnace, and slowly heated to control the carbonization speed and temperature, reaching the conditions for chemical reactions. This process causes the gradual thermal decomposition and volatilization of organic substances in the charcoal, forming a structure with numerous pores and high carbon concentration.
After carbonization, the raw material undergoes activation to increase its pore structure and surface area. Activation develops more micropores and mesoporous structures, enhancing the adsorption capacity of activated carbon.
Activated carbon pellets may undergo additional treatments such as acid washing or impregnation according to market demands. For example, adding catalysts or special substances to enhance specific application effects. Detailed explanations can be found in this article.
Quality Inspection and PackagingThe produced pelletized activated carbon undergoes quality inspection to ensure compliance with relevant standards and quality requirements. After rigorous inspection, it can be packaged in custom-branded bags or other weight bags for customer use.
Pellet Activated Carbon Area of Application
Water treatment
Pelletized activated carbon is often used in water purification systems. It is used to remove unwanted compounds such as organic pollutants, bad taste, and odour from water. Pelletized activated carbon adsorbs the pollutants in the water and enables it to be purified. It also improves the colour, smell, and taste of the water.
Solvent recovery
Pelletized activated carbon is used to recover solvents used in chemical processes. Solvents commonly used in the chemical industry can be recycled after the production process. Pelletized activated carbon adsorbs solvents, separates them, and makes them reusable.
Chemical processes
Pelletized activated carbon is used in various chemical processes. It is used, for example, to remove unwanted by-products from chemical reactions and for the adsorption and purification of pollutants in the solid or liquid phase. Pelletized activated carbon can be used effectively in the chemical industry.
Ventilation and air conditioning systems
Pelletized activated carbon is used effectively in air filters and ventilation systems. It is used to remove bad odours, chemicals, and harmful gases from the air. This ensures clean and healthy air indoors.
Gas purification
Pelletized activated carbon is used in gas purification. It plays an effective role in the removal of harmful gases produced during industrial processes. Pelletized activated carbon ensures clean air emissions by adsorbing pollutants in gases.
Air Purification
Pelletized activated carbon is used effectively in air purification applications. It is used in air filtration systems to remove harmful gases, chemical odours, and particulate matter. In this way, clean and healthy air quality is achieved indoors.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pelletized activated carbon is a material used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is used in pharmaceutical production processes for the purification of raw materials, the removal of undesirable compounds, and the adsorption of various chemicals. Pelletized activated carbon plays an important role in improving the quality of drugs and reducing unwanted side effects.
Food and Beverage Industry
Pelletized activated carbon is also used in the food and beverage industry. It is used in food production for purposes such as removing undesirable odours and tastes, adsorption of coloured components, and removal of chemical residues. It can also be used to clarify beverages and purify sweeteners.
Solvent Gas Purification
Pelletized activated carbon is also used in the purification processes of solvent gases. This application ensures the purification of solvent gases before combustion and the removal of harmful components. Pelletized activated carbon adsorbs pollutants by contacting solvent gases, and a clean gas flow is obtained.
The production of activated carbon granules involves several key steps. First, the carbonaceous material is carbonized at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, removing the volatile compounds and leaving behind a carbon-rich material. The carbonized material then undergoes an activation process. Activation is achieved by exposing the carbonized material to high temperatures (800-1000°C or 1472-1832°F) and an activating agent such as steam or carbon dioxide. This process creates a vast network of pores that enhance the material's surface area and adsorption capacity. The active material is then processed into pellets or granules to form activated carbon pellets.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) is used in drinking water treatment plants worldwide to remove micro-pollutants such as pesticides. Early breakthrough of problematic micro-pollutants leads to frequent and costly thermal regeneration off-site. A potential alternative approach is to chemically regenerate GAC on-site (possibly in situ) with an appropriate solution capable of desorbing organic contaminants, having a range of physico-chemical properties. In this study, four types of regenerant solution were evaluated in batch tests for their ability to desorb five target contaminants. The solutions were: high purity water, sodium hydroxide, ethanol, and a mixture of sodium hydroxide and ethanol. The contaminants included: phenol and nitrobenzene, as representative aromatic compounds; clopyralid and metaldehyde, as poorly-adsorbed pesticides; and isoproturon, a well-adsorbed pesticide. Among the properties of the contaminants, their hydrophobicity and aqueous solubility had the most significant influence on the desorption efficiency. NaOH/CH3CH2OH was found to be more effective than individual solutions in desorbing the target contaminants, indicating an ability to desorb both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. The NaOH/CH3CH2OH regenerant solution yielded desorption efficiencies in the range of approximately 40–90%, with the efficiency dependent on the contaminant. A thermodynamic study provided valuable fundamental information regarding the adsorption and desorption mechanisms, and the existence of two binding sites involving a weak physisorption and a stronger chemisorption-like interaction between the contaminants and the GAC.
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