Activated carbon is a highly effective material used across various fields, including air and water purification. In general, it is the source material that determines the effectiveness of activated carbon. It may be coal, coconut shells, or wood. All these three types of activated carbon have different characteristics. Hence their use also varies. The following guide explains the main differences between coal, coconut shell, and wood-based activated carbon, along with their applications.
Key Differences
1.Raw Material
- Coal activated carbon is made from bituminous, anthracite, or lignite coal.
- Coconut shell activated carbon is primarily produced from coconut shells.
- Wood activated carbon is made from hardwood or softwood.
2. Manufacturing
- Coal-based activated carbon is produced through physical carbonization followed by chemical activation.
- Coconut shell activated carbon is mainly manufactured using chemical processes like steam activation.
- Wood-based activated carbon is produced through chemical methods such as steam activation and phosphoric acid treatment.
3. Pore Structure
The pore size of the three activated carbons differs depending on the type of raw material and the activation method used
- Coal activated carbon is made up of both micropores and mesopores.
- Coconut shell activated carbon has a predominantly microporous structure.
- Wood activated carbon consists of numerous mesopores and macropores.
4. Hardness:
- Coal and coconut shell activated carbons have high mechanical strength. This makes them durable in rigorous applications.
- Wood activated carbon is softer and more fragile.
5. Density:
- Coal and coconut shell activated carbons have higher density. This can affect the filtration speed and efficiency.
- Wood activated carbon has lower density. This enables faster adsorption of larger molecules.
6. Surface Area
- Coconut shell activated carbon usually has the highest surface area among the three.
- Coal activated carbon has a good surface area but it is mainly chosen due to its durability.
- Wood activated carbon has a lower surface area but larger pores.
7. Physical Forms
- Coal activated carbon is available in granular, pelleted, and powder forms.
- Coconut shell activated carbon is found in granular form.
- Wood activated carbon is available in powder form.
8. Ash Content
- Wood activated carbon has a higher ash content.
- Coal activated carbon has moderate ash content.
- Coconut shell activated carbon has low ash content.
9. Usage Costs
- Coal activated carbon is generally cheaper.
- Coconut shell activated carbon is slightly more expensive but offers higher efficiency per unit mass.
- Wood activated carbon can vary in cost depending on the activation process and the wood source.
10. Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Coconut shell activated carbon is the most sustainable option. Its production has a relatively low carbon footprint compared to coal mining or wood harvesting.
- Coal activated carbon production involves non-renewable fossil resources and leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions.
- Wood activated carbon can be sustainable if the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests. However, deforestation concerns must be considered carefully.
Applications
Coal Activated Carbon Applications
- Industrial gas purification
- Gold recovery in mining
- Wastewater treatment
- Solvent recovery
- Deep purification of urban drinking water
- Water purifiers
- Purification in the food and beverage industry
- Medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Coal activated carbon is a popular choice especially in tough chemical conditions. This is because, in such cases, high durability is critical for extended operational life.
Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Applications
- Drinking water purification
- Air purification (especially for removing odors and harmful gases)
- Pharmaceutical and food-grade applications
- Respirator masks andair filters
- Reverse osmosis water applications
Coconut shell activated carbon is highly effective for removing small-sized contaminants, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Wood Activated Carbon Applications
- Decolorization of food products and beverages (like sugar and wine)
- Cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications
- Water purification
- Soil remediation
- Air purification
- Solvent recovery
- Deodorization of food products and beverages
Wood activated carbon is excellent for adsorbing larger organic molecules.
Conclusion
Coconut shell activated carbon, wood activated carbon, and coal-based activated carbon each have unique properties and applications. It is important to balance specific requirements, environmental considerations, and sustainability factors, while making a choice. Southern Carbon offers high-quality activated carbon solutions as per your needs. If you need eco-friendly coconut shell activated carbon in Japan or are looking for reliable activated carbon manufacturers in Kerala, Southern Carbon is here to help. Get in touch with us today to find the right solution for your needs.