How Is Activated Carbon Produced?
Activated carbon is a versatile material used in many fields such as water treatment, air filtration, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical industries due to its high adsorption capacity and surface area. Activated carbon production is carried out by producing special materials used in different industries. In this article, we will examine activated carbon production methods and production processes.
Materials used for the production of activated carbon
The main materials used for the production of activated carbon are organic substances and petrochemical products. Organic materials include naturally sourced materials such as wood, charcoal, coconut shells, nut shells, cotton litter, peanut shells, corn cobs, soybean shells, sugarcane scraps and waste paper.
Organic materials are made suitable for the production of activated carbon by a process called pyrolysis or carbonization . The pyrolysis process is the heating of materials at high temperature in the presence of insufficient oxygen. During this process, organic substances are converted into gaseous products, water vapor and solid carbon. Carbonization is the combustion of organic materials at high temperature in the presence of sufficient oxygen. During this process, organic substances turn into carbon.
Other materials used for the production of activated carbon include petrochemical products. Petrochemical products such as petroleum, coal and gas derivatives are used in the production of activated carbon by chemical processing.
Activated carbon production methods
There are two basic methods used for the production of activated carbon:
1- Pyrolysis of organic substances
2- Activation of materials obtained from petrochemical sources
Production by Pyrolysis of Organic Substances
This method starts with the conversion of organic materials into carbon by pyrolysis at high temperature. For the pyrolysis process, organic materials are heated in high temperature furnaces or special pyrolysis reactors. During this process, organic materials are converted into gaseous products, water vapor and solid carbon.
The solid carbon is then subjected to the activation process. Activation is a process applied to increase the surface area of materials and increase their adsorption capacity. Activation is carried out in two ways:
1- chemical activation
2- physical activation.
Chemical activation is accomplished by treating materials with chemical reagents. During this process, the materials are first treated with a chemical reagent and then activated at high temperature. Chemical activation is preferred to produce activated carbon with high adsorption capacity.
Physical activation is carried out by activating the materials at high temperature. During this process, the materials are heated under high temperature water vapor, CO2 or inert gases. This process creates fine pores that provide high surface area and adsorption capacity.
Production by Activation of Materials from Petrochemical Resources
In this method, materials obtained from petrochemical sources such as petroleum, coal or gas derivatives are subjected to chemical processes to produce activated carbon. During this process, the materials are first treated with chemical reagents and then activated at high temperature.
Activated carbon production is carried out through the pyrolysis of organic materials or through the activation of materials from petrochemical sources. Both these methods are used for the production of activated carbon and the end products are specially designed for use in different industries.
Activated carbon is a versatile material that is widely used in a variety of industries. It is used in many fields such as water and air purification systems, chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries. High quality activated carbon products can be obtained when activated carbon production is carried out using appropriate methods and quality materials. Correctly chosen activation method and material can be used effectively in industrial applications by providing high adsorption capacity, surface area and pore structure.