tech update filtration media
The ABCs
of Activated Carbon
By Robert Potwara
Activated carbon
properties determine
filtration performance
ctivated carbon (AC) is a
common component in
many water treatment devices.
It removes a wide variety of organicbased contaminants, as well as some
inorganic contaminants such as free
chlorine and monochloramine. It is
common to use AC ahead of reverse
osmosis and ion exchange resins to
prevent oxidation and organic fouling
and to decrease maintenance frequency.
Activated Carbon Properties
The most common raw materials
used to manufacture AC for water
treatment are coconut shells and
coal. The raw material used has a
direct impact on an ACs final properties. Table 1 compares the key
properties of ACs used for water
treatment produced from the most
common raw materials: coconut shell,
bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal
and lignite coal.
Apparent density. This measurement is used to calculate how many
pounds of AC are required to fill a
given volume. Lower-density ACs,
like those made from sub-bituminous
coal, require up to 35% fewer pounds
to fill a given volume compared to
ACs made from raw materials with
higher densities.
Iodine number. This is a common
test method to distinguish the micropore volumes of ACs. Coconut shell
ACs have the highest iodine numbers,
which correspond to a higher capacity
to adsorb small molecules, such as
volatile organic chemicals.
Molasses number. This test
method measures the amount of
larger mesopores and macropores.
Sub-bituminous coal- and lignite
coal-based ACs have the highest
molasses numbers; therefore, they
have a much higher capacity to adsorb
larger molecules like tannins.
Total ash. This is a measurement of the impurity content of an
AC. Coconut shell-based AC has the
lowest ash content and is the purest
type. The overwhelming majority
of the ash present in an AC will be
insoluble. ACs can be water and acid
washed to reduce the ash content.
Coconut-based ACs have the lowest
ash content after washing, with levels
of 1% to 2%, whereas coal-based ACs
have an ash content of 5% to 15%
after washing.
Hardness number. This is an
important parameter for granular
activated carbon (GAC). A GAC
with a high hardness number is less
prone to breakdown during use and
generates fewer carbon fines. Coconut
shell-based ACs have the highest
hardness numbers.
Sizing Up
Loose AC for water treatment uses
broken granules called GAC. Pelletand bead-shaped ACs are also available, but they are used mainly for
specialty applications.
For point-of-use AC systems,
20-by-50 mesh size is preferred.
This small size allows fast kinetics
for adsorption of impurities and
chlorine removal while maintaining acceptable pressure drop.
Larger point-of-entry systems use
12-by-30 or 12-by-40 mesh sizes.
This larger particle size also allows
fast kinetics while maintaining
acceptable pressure drop.
To reduce the need for the large
tanks required for GAC, carbon blocks
were developed. These contain finemesh AC, normally made with 80-by325 mesh size. The carbon blocks
are molded or extruded with binders
and additives to form a solid block.
They eliminate the black dust that is
normally associated with new GAC.
The small carbon particles used to
make the blocks allow fast kinetics for
removal of impurities.
Table 1. Activated Carbon Properties
14
WATER QUALIT Y PRODUCTS
Base Material
Coconut Shell
Bituminous Coal
Sub-Bituminous Coal
Lignite Coal
Apparent Density (lb/cu ft)
30 - 34
30 - 34
22 - 23
23 - 24
Iodine Number (mg/g)
1,050 - 1,300
850 - 1,000
1,000 - 1,100
500 - 600
Molasses Number
< 200
200 - 230
> 300
> 300
Total Ash (percent)
<3
8 - 15
10 - 15
16 - 30
Hardness Number
98 - 99
85 - 90
85 - 90
65 - 75
NSF/ANSI Standards
NSF/ANSI standards 42 and
53 are used to evaluate the performance of AC water treatment units.
The reduction of aesthetic contaminants such as chlorine, monochloramine, taste, odor, color and particulate matter are covered under
NSF/ANSI 42.
Carbon blocks are ranked by
their performance in filtering particles from water. There are six classes
used for nominal particulate matter
removal. The classes represent particle
size ranges that are removed with a
minimum 85% efficiency. Table 2
compares particle size reduction ranges
by class. This is referred to as the
nominal size rating. Carbon blocks
with a Class VI rating do not remove
small-size particles as well as other
blocks, but are less prone to clogging.
Carbon blocks with the highest rating,
Class I, can filter particles less than 1
m in size.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53 addresses
the reduction of contaminants that
have known health effects. These
include organic chemicals, inorganic
chemicals, metals and cysts.
Standards 42 and 53 require a treatment unit to be evaluated to ensure
nothing can leach into the water at
levels that may be harmful to human
health. A list of certified treatment
units and their reduction claims can
be found on the NSF Intl. and Water
Quality Assn. websites.
There are many types of AC available. Selecting the right type is important to ensure proper performance and
minimize costs. wqp
Robert Potwora is technical director
for Carbon Resources. Potwora can be
reached at
[email protected]or 760.630.5724.
For more information on this subject
write in 1005 on the reader service
card or visit www.wqpmag.com/
lm.cfm/wq031205.
Table 2. Nominal Particulate
Reduction Classes
Class
Particulate Size
0.5 m to < 1 m
II
1 m to < 5 m
III
5 m to < 15 m
IV
15 m to < 30 m
30 m to < 50 m
VI
50 m to < 80 m
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