Comprendre le charbon activé chimiquement et ses applications

You can find chemically activated carbon in many things. It helps keep water clean. It also helps keep air clean. This material has a special structure. It is very good at trapping things we do not want.

The world market for activated carbon was $3,934.1 million in 2024. It may grow to $5,497.3 million by 2033. It grows at a steady rate of 3.8% each year.

Here is how chemically activated carbon is different from other types:

People use this carbon for cleaning and filtering. It is great at catching impurities.

Principaux enseignements

• Chemically activated carbon comes from things like coconut shells and coal. Chemicals help make it. This makes a solid with lots of tiny holes.

• It has a big surface area. This helps it catch unwanted stuff in water and air. It works well for cleaning.

• Activated carbon filters can take out chlorine, organic toxins, and some heavy metals from water. This makes water taste better and safer to drink.

• In air cleaning, activated carbon grabs VOCs, bad smells, and harmful gases. This makes the air inside cleaner and safer to breathe.

• Activated carbon is used in sewage treatment. It removes organic pollution, toxins, and bad smells from wastewater.

• For skin care, activated carbon can help control oil and remove dirt. But there is not much scientific proof that it works well.

• When picking activated carbon, think about the type of contaminants. Also think about particle size and if you want to reuse it.

• Using activated carbon helps cut down on plastic waste. It also saves money by making pipes and machines last longer.

Carbone activé chimiquement

Définition

You might ask why chemically activated carbon is special. Factories make it from things like bamboo, coconut husk, or coal. They use chemicals to change these materials into activated carbon. This makes a black solid with lots of tiny holes. People often call it activated charcoal in health and beauty items.

• Activated carbon is a solid with many pores. It comes from materials full of carbon.

• Chemical activation uses acids, bases, or salts to treat the carbon.

• The process heats the carbon to high temperatures, between 250 and 600 °C.

• This makes a network of tiny pores inside the carbon.

Chemically activated carbon has a huge surface area and many pores. These help it trap things we do not want in water, air, or other stuff. You see it in water filters, air cleaners, and some medicines.

Propriétés principales

Chemically activated carbon is different because of its special properties. These make it great for cleaning and filtering.

Porosité

Porosity means how many tiny holes are inside the carbon. More pores mean it can trap more unwanted stuff. Chemically activated carbon has more pore volume than physically activated carbon. So, it can hold more impurities.

Chemically activated carbon has more space for trapping things. That is why people use it for cleaning water and air.

Surface

Surface area shows how much space is on the outside of the carbon. A bigger surface area means more places for bad stuff to stick. Chemically activated carbon has a very high surface area. This lets it catch lots of impurities, even with a small amount.

Tip: Pick activated charcoal with high surface area for filters. This helps it trap more pollution.

This property helps you in many ways. Water filters with activated carbon can take out chlorine, smells, and some heavy metals. Air cleaners use it to trap gases and odors. Skincare products use it to pull dirt and oil from your skin.

Chemically activated carbon is a strong tool for cleaning and keeping things safe. Its many pores and big surface area make it better than other types of activated carbon and activated charcoal.

Production Process

Chemical Activation

Factories use chemical activation to make activated carbon. This method gives the carbon many pores and a large surface area. You can find this kind of activated charcoal in water filters, air purifiers, and skincare items. Chemical activation uses chemicals to make tiny holes inside the carbon. Factories start with things like coconut shells, wood, or coal. These materials have a lot of carbon. They treat them with chemicals before heating. This step helps the carbon get the right structure to trap bad stuff.

Common Agents

Different chemicals help make activated carbon. Each one does something special to the carbon. Here are some main agents:

• H2SO4 is an acid. It breaks down the carbon and opens up pores.

• ZnCl2 works with some raw materials. It helps make more pores in the carbon.

• H3PO4 also works with some raw materials. It helps form pores and makes the carbon work better.

• KOH is a base. It works best with certain materials and makes strong pores.

• NaOH is another base. It is used for some coals and helps the carbon filter tough things.

Tip: The chemical you pick changes how the activated carbon works. Pick the right one for your job.

Steps

Factories follow steps to make activated carbon with chemicals. Each step helps make the final product:

1. Carbonization: Heat the raw material without oxygen. This removes some parts and leaves carbon-rich char.

2. Activation: Treat the char with a chemical. Then heat it again. This makes the tiny holes in the carbon.

3. Washing and Drying: Wash the carbon to get rid of leftover chemicals. Dry it to remove water.

4. Sizing and Packaging: Crush the carbon to the right size. Then pack it for use in filters or other products.

Chemical activation is easier than physical activation. But it gives less activated carbon from the same amount of raw material. It also uses more chemicals, which can hurt the environment.

Both methods make activated carbon and activated charcoal. Chemical activation is popular because it is easy and makes special pores. Think about the method and chemicals when you choose activated carbon.

Comment ça marche

Adsorption

Mécanisme

Have you ever wondered how activated carbon cleans water or air? It works through a process called adsorption. Activated carbon traps unwanted things on its surface. This happens because it has many tiny holes and a big surface area. These features help it catch and hold different molecules.

The inside of activated carbon is important for how well it works. The surface has many functional groups. These groups help the carbon grab both polar and non-polar substances. For example, when you use activated charcoal to take out chlorophyll from water, the carbon acts as both a giver and a taker. It uses groups like –OH, C–H, and C–O to pull in and hold these molecules.

Here is a table that shows how the inside and surface of activated carbon help with adsorption:

Some metals, like Fe(III) and Mn(II), are adsorbed in a special way. The carbon grabs these ions fast at first, then slows down as it fills up. This matches the Langmuir isotherm model, which means each spot on the carbon holds one molecule. The process also takes in heat, so it works better when it is warmer.

Efficiency Factors

You might wonder what makes activated carbon work better. Many things affect how well it adsorbs. The size and type of pores in the carbon are important. Activated carbon has micropores, mesopores, and macropores. These pores help trap different molecules. Nonpolar and hydrophobic pores are best for catching non-polar gases like VOCs. But polar chemicals like NH3 and H2S do not stick as well.

• The kind of substance you want to remove changes how well the carbon works.

• The pH of the solution is important. When the pH goes up, the carbon’s surface gets more negative. This helps it grab and hold positive metal ions.

• Carboxyl groups on the surface help bind metals, especially when the pH is above 4.

• The time you let the carbon work also matters. At first, it removes more impurities, but it slows down as the surface fills up.

When the pH goes up, the surface of activated carbon gets more negative. This makes it easier to attract positive metal ions. Carboxyl groups on the surface are important for binding metals, especially when the pH is higher than 4.

So, how does activated carbon work? Both its structure and the environment matter. Activated carbon works best when you pick the right type for the job. You also need to think about the pH, the impurity, and how long you let it work. Activated charcoal and activated carbon both use adsorption to clean water, air, and even skin. The process depends on the surface area, pore size, and chemical groups on the carbon.

Applications

Purification de l'eau

Activated carbon is used to clean water. It has a lot of tiny holes and a big surface area. These features help it trap things we do not want in water. When you put activated carbon in water, it grabs onto organic compounds, chlorine, and some heavy metals. You can find these filters in water pitchers at home, city water systems, and big factories.

Activated carbon is best for taking out bad smells and organic toxins. It can also lower some metals in water. For example, it removes over 95% of copper and between 61% and 84% of iron. But it does not work well for metals like manganese and uranium. It removes less than 1% of those. Activated carbon is best when you want to get rid of organic stuff and make water taste and smell better.

• Activated carbon filters take out:

  • Chlorine

  • Organic toxins

  • Bad smells

  • Some heavy metals like copper and iron

New research shows activated carbon has a very large surface area and many pores. This helps it work better than old filter types. Special activated carbon can remove heavy metals from 75% to 96%. How well it works depends on how much you use and the pH. Tiny particles, like magnetite, can help it grab more and make it easier to separate.

Tip: Pick activated carbon filters with special surfaces for the best results. These filters take out more bad stuff and smells.

Activated carbon is used to clean water in homes, cities, and factories. People trust it to keep water safe and fresh.

Air Filtration

Activated carbon is important for cleaning air. You see it in air purifiers, HVAC systems, and big factory air cleaners. It is good for cleaning air and gases because it traps VOCs, bad smells, and harmful gases. The tiny holes in activated carbon catch the things that make air dirty.

Small air cleaners and HVAC filters use activated carbon to take out toxins and smells. These filters are good at removing small particles and VOCs. Experts say activated carbon filters are the best for VOCs. They work well and are trusted. Some activated carbon filters can clean up to 72.10 cubic meters of air each hour. This is better than many other types.

• Activated carbon filters in air cleaners remove:

  • VOCs

  • Bad smells

  • Harmful gases

  • Toxins

You find activated carbon in homes and factories. In factories, it catches toxic air and VOCs from plants and machines. The many pores in activated carbon trap VOCs and make the air safer.

Note: Activated carbon is best for cleaning air and gases where you need to get rid of smells, toxins, and VOCs.

Activated carbon filters help you breathe cleaner air at home and at work. People use them to get rid of bad smells and clean the air.

Sewage Treatment

Activated carbon is very useful in cleaning sewage. It helps remove organic pollution, toxins, and bad smells from dirty water. This material can catch things that other cleaning methods miss. Activated carbon is best for cleaning water in sewage plants because it grabs many different pollutants.

You see activated carbon filters in city and factory sewage systems. They take out organic stuff from dead plants, byproducts from chlorine, toxins from algae, and heavy metals. They also remove drugs, pesticides, and tiny pollutants that are hard to catch.

• Activated carbon filters in sewage plants remove:

  • Organic toxins

  • Medicines

  • Algae toxins

  • Heavy metals

  • Bad smells

Activated carbon is known for lowering COD and BOD in wastewater. These numbers show how dirty the water is. How well it works depends on water temperature and how long the water stays in the filter. Studies show activated carbon can lower COD and BOD a lot. This makes water safer to use again or to let go into rivers.

Tip: Use activated carbon filters in sewage plants to catch things other methods miss. This is best when you need to get rid of toxins and bad smells.

Activated carbon helps protect nature and people by taking out toxins and smells from dirty water.

Smoke Removal

Smoke can get inside your house when you cook or during wildfires. It brings small bits and strong smells that make breathing hard. Activated carbon helps clean the air by catching smoke and bad smells. Its special structure has lots of tiny holes. These holes trap smoke and VOCs, which are found in smoke.

Activated carbon uses adsorption to work. It grabs and holds smoke stuff on its surface. The small holes are great at catching tiny smoke bits. The surface chemistry is important too. Oxygen groups on the carbon help remove VOCs from things like cigarette smoke.

Activated carbon filters make air better in smoky places. Studies say they work well even when wildfires make VOCs high.

Here is what activated carbon does to remove smoke:

1. It traps VOCs from smoke and home products.

2. The many holes give more space to catch pollution.

3. These filters make the air inside cleaner and safer.

If you want cleaner air, pick filters with activated carbon. They help you breathe better by taking out smoke and smells.

Skincare

You find activated charcoal in lots of skin products. Companies say it pulls out toxins and cleans your skin. Activated carbon comes from coconut shells, wood, or coal. It can grab oils and dirt from your skin.

Activated carbon helps control oil on your skin. This is good for oily or acne-prone skin. It also catches pollution and tiny dirt from your skin. You get gentle scrubbing, so your skin feels smoother.

• Activated carbon sticks to dirt and oil.

• It helps control oil for people with oily skin.

• It removes pollution and tiny dirt from your skin.

• You get gentle scrubbing for smoother skin.

Most claims about activated charcoal in skincare are not proven by science. There is not much proof it removes toxins from your skin. Some people use it in bandages, but there is little proof it helps skin.

Some side effects are dry skin, redness, and sensitivity. Rarely, you could have an allergy. If you use these products, watch for these problems.

Odor Elimination

Bad smells can come from cooking, pets, or smoke in your home. Activated carbon helps get rid of these smells. It traps the smell molecules and keeps them from spreading. You see activated carbon filters in homes and factories. They work well for smells from cooking, smoke, and chemicals.

• Activated carbon is good for homes with pets, smokers, or lots of cooking.

• It stops bad smells by trapping the molecules that cause them.

• You use these filters to get rid of smells from air and surfaces.

If you want your home to smell fresh, use activated carbon filters. They help you control bad smells and keep your home nice.

Benefits and Limitations

Advantages

Activated carbon has many good uses. It helps clean water and air at home or work. It works well because it has lots of tiny holes. These holes trap many unwanted things. You can use it in water filters and air purifiers. Big factories use it too.

A big benefit is it helps the environment. Using it in water filters means you buy less bottled water. This cuts down on plastic trash and lowers pollution. You also save money over time. Activated carbon helps your pipes and machines last longer. It removes things that can damage them.

You can reuse activated carbon. You do not always need to buy new. There are two ways to do this: chemical regeneration and thermal regeneration. Each way has its own cost and use.

Activated carbon is a strong and flexible way to clean water and air. You can use it in kitchens, homes, and big factories.

Drawbacks

Activated carbon has some limits too. It does not fix every problem. Sometimes, it traps both good and bad things. This means you might lose useful stuff in factories.

Here are some main drawbacks:

• Chemically activated carbon can have poor selectivity because it traps many things.

• The large surface area can trap both wanted and unwanted stuff, which can lower how much you get in factories.

Regenerating activated carbon can be hard. Chemical regeneration needs special tools and skills. Thermal regeneration uses lots of energy and costs more. Not every type works for every job. You must pick the right kind for your needs.

Sometimes, activated carbon does not remove all pollutants. It may not work for some metals or tiny molecules. Always check if activated carbon is the best choice for your problem.

Note: Always pick the right activated carbon for your job to get the best results.

Conseils de sélection

Choosing the Right Type

You want the best results when you use activated carbon. Picking the right type matters for your project. You should look at several important criteria before you decide. Here is a simple list to help you choose:

1. Contaminant profile: Find out what you need to remove. Some activated carbon works better for certain chemicals or metals.

2. Particle size requirements: Check the size of the carbon particles. Smaller particles can trap more, but they may slow down water or air flow.

3. Adsorption kinetics: Think about how fast you need the carbon to work. Some jobs need quick removal of contaminants.

4. Regeneration needs: Decide if you want to reuse the carbon. Some types are easier to clean and use again.

5. System constraints: Look at your system’s limits. Make sure the carbon fits and works with your equipment.

Tip: Always match the type of activated carbon to the job. This helps you get the best cleaning power and saves money.

You can use a table to compare different types of carbon for your needs:

Application Considerations

Activated carbon works in many places, like water filters, air purifiers, and factories. You need to think about a few things before you use it. Here are some key points:

• Choose the right activated carbon for your specific job.

• Look at the types and amounts of contaminants you want to remove.

• Check the working conditions, such as temperature and flow rate.

• Make sure the carbon can handle the impurities in your water or air.

• Think about cost and how easy it is to keep the system running.

• Follow rules for safe and clean water or air in your area.

You should also pay attention to the concentration of contaminants. High levels may need more carbon or special types. The pH of the water or waste stream can change how well the carbon works. If the pH is too high or low, the carbon may not trap impurities as well.

Remarque : Carbon filtration is a cost-effective way to clean water and air. It needs little maintenance and helps you meet environmental rules.

Activated carbon gives you strong cleaning power. You can use it for many jobs, but you must pick the right type and think about your system’s needs. This helps you get safe water, clean air, and better results every time.

Chemically activated carbon is a strong tool for cleaning water and air. People make it from things like coconut shells or coal with chemicals. It has lots of tiny holes and a big surface area. These help it catch things we do not want. Many experts say it is the best absorbent in the world. The market for this material is getting bigger every year:

• It is good for the environment and can be used again.

• People use it in factories, homes, and even for skin care.

• More people want it for cleaning air and water.

Think about using chemically activated carbon to help with your filtering needs and make the world cleaner.