Granular activated carbon

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a porous adsorption material made from natural materials such as coconut shells, coal, or wood through carbonization and activation processes. The manufacturing process includes two main steps: carbonization and activation. Carbonization involves heating the raw materials in an oxygen-deprived environment to decompose them into carbonaceous materials. Then, through physical or chemical methods, activation increases the porous structure and surface area of the carbonaceous material.

Granulated carbon features highly developed micro, meso, and macroporous structures, providing numerous adsorption sites. The surface area of activated carbon granules typically ranges from 500 to 1500 square meters per gram. It is widely used in water treatment, air purification, the food industry, and precious metal recovery due to its efficient adsorption performance and versatility.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) differ significantly in form, use, and performance.

Granulated carbon usually comes in 1-5 mm granules, with a regular shape, making it easy to handle and use. It is suitable for fixed-bed adsorption systems, such as filters in water treatment and air purifiers. In contrast, powdered activated carbon has particles smaller than 0.1 mm, disperses and mixes easily but can cause dust issues, and is mainly used for liquid-phase adsorption, often directly added to water or chemical solutions.

The adsorption rate of GAC carbon is relatively slow, but it provides stable long-term performance, suitable for handling large pollution loads. PAC, on the other hand, has a fast adsorption rate, ideal for emergency treatment or short-term high-efficiency adsorption but requires frequent replacement.

Additionally, granulated carbon results in lower pressure loss in systems, making it suitable for continuous flow treatment systems, whereas powdered carbon might cause higher pressure losses. For regeneration, GAC can be reused multiple times through thermal or chemical regeneration methods, while PAC is typically discarded after a single use.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS, and GenX chemicals. PFAS are commonly found in industrial wastewater and consumer products, posing potential environmental and health hazards.

GAC carbon can effectively capture and remove these compounds through physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms. However, the removal efficiency of PFAS is influenced by factors such as the type of activated carbon granules, pore structure, surface area, and usage conditions.

In this application, commonly used activated carbon includes 8-30 mesh and 12-40 mesh high iodine value coal-based granulated carbon.

The working principle of GAC carbon is mainly based on its highly developed pore structure and surface area, which remove contaminants through physical and chemical adsorption. Physical adsorption involves the attachment of contaminant molecules to the surface and pores of the activated carbon through van der Waals forces or electrostatic interactions. Chemical adsorption involves chemical reactions between contaminants and functional groups on the surface of the activated carbon, forming stronger chemical bonds.

The porous structure of activated carbon granules provides numerous adsorption sites, enabling it to effectively capture and immobilize various organic compounds, gases, and metal ions. When water or air passes through the GAC layer, contaminants are adsorbed onto the surface of the activated carbon, thus achieving purification.

Granular activated carbon used for water treatment mainly includes several types, such as coconut shell-based activated carbon and coal-based activated carbon.

Coconut shell-based activated carbon has high hardness and excellent adsorption performance, making it particularly suitable for removing organic contaminants and odors from water. It is widely used in drinking water treatment, household filter cartridges, and commercial water filtration equipment.

Coal-based activated carbon, due to its higher mechanical strength and larger pore structure, is widely used in wastewater treatment and industrial water treatment.

In practical applications, the appropriate type of GAC carbon can be selected according to the characteristics of the water and treatment requirements to achieve the best treatment effect.

The price per ton of GAC carbon varies depending on raw materials, production processes, quality, and market demand. Generally, coconut shell-based activated carbon, due to its excellent performance and environmental characteristics, is relatively expensive, with prices ranging from $1500 to $3000 per ton. Coal-based activated carbon and wood-based activated carbon are relatively cheaper, with prices ranging from $800 to $2000 per ton. The specific price also needs to be considered based on purchase volume, transportation costs, and suppliers. You can contact us for the latest product quotations.

Yes, we are happy to provide samples to customers for actual testing and evaluation. Samples can help customers understand the performance and applicability of GAC carbon, ensuring that it meets specific application needs. Please contact our sales team to arrange sample delivery and provide relevant technical support and consultation.

Our GAC products comply with multiple international and national standards to ensure their quality and safety. Common certifications include ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification, NSF/ANSI 61 Drinking Water System Components Certification, and food-grade activated carbon-related HALAL and KOSHER certifications. We can provide corresponding test reports and certification certificates to ensure that the products meet customer requirements and application standards.