Activated Carbon Site Blog

Known to this earth since its inception, the element carbon is vastly distributed throughout nature. Activated carbon, is also known as activated charcoal or activated coal. When carbon is processed it is extremely porous and covers large surface areas which makes it ideal for adsorption and chemical reactions. Adsorption not to be confused with absorption, is the process by which removal or collection of a substance is penetrated into the other solid. There are many raw materials that activated carbon can be made from, such as coal, wood, peat, sawdust, coconut shells, and petroleum residues, to name a few. Because of its reasonable cost to manufacture and its miraculous ability for purification, activated carbon is the foremost choice to reduce health risks in drinking water and the air we breath.
There are many interesting facts to learn about activated carbon. When made from coal the process involves using high pressure steam, leaving behind pure carbon. In this state a teaspoonful is filled with many tiny pores between the carbon atoms having a surface area that could pave a Wal Mart parking lot.! Activated carbon is very environmentally safe, non toxic and can be ingested in small quantities without harm. In England in the early 19th century, charcoal biscuits were used as an antidote for flatulence and stomach trouble. There is also a special cloth made of activated carbon used in personnel protection for the US military. Manufacturers produce up to 150 different types of activated carbon differing in their density and pore size and is sold in many different forms including granular, pellets, and powered.
The truly wonderful aspect of this element carbon, in the form of its black beauty activated carbon, is that it can be used 8 to 10 times. In the process of regeneration, the carbon is refreshed by removing the foreign substances, using a combination of very high heat, negative oxygen, fans and acid washing.
The most precious gemstone the diamond is composed of only one element, carbon. Which makes me think that Marilyn Monroe might sing in todays world, “activated carbons are a girls best friend”.