Activated carbon

What is activated carbon?

Activated carbons are manufactured carbonaceous non-hazardous products that have a porous structure and a large internal surface area. The chemical structure of activated carbon can be defined as a crude form of graphite with a random or amorphous structure. This amorphous structure is highly porous over a broad range of pore sizes, varying from visible to molecular sized cracks and crevices.

Activated carbon treatment: adsorption

Activated carbon treatment is primarily based on a phenomenon called adsorption, in which molecules of a liquid or gas are trapped by either an external or internal surface of a solid. The phenomenon is somewhat similar to iron filings being held by a magnet. Activated carbon has a very high internal surface area (up to 1500m²/g), making it an ideal material for adsorption. To further improve the activated carbon properties for certain applications, we can impregnate the activated carbon with selected chemicals.

Activated carbon production

What is activated carbon?

Types of activated carbon

Activated carbons are produced in different shapes and forms such as granular, extruded carbon and powder activated carbon, which contains acid washed and impregnated products and which is a widespread adsorption medium, used in almost every industrial sector. It is used in different air, gas, water and process applications. DESOTEC is an international developer, producer and supplier of purification solutions mainly based on activated carbon technology. We offer different types of activated carbon for a wide range of applications. These activated carbon types are used in different purification systems. Read on about:

How activated carbon is made
How activated carbon works
How activated carbon is used
Different types of activated carbon
Applications where DESOTEC's activated carbon is used:
- Purification of liquids and water
- Purification of gases and air
Chemical structure of activated carbon
What adsorption is
What is adsorbed