Activated carbon is one of the most versatile and diverse products that influences countless industries across the world. One of the most powerful adsorbents in the world, the production of activated carbon was industrialized during the early 1900s. Since then, steam-activated carbon has become an irreplaceable part of countless industries that use it as a purifying agent for air and water. From water purification to medicinal use, the industries that make use of activated carbon are diverse, and the industrial world is still discovering new places where its versatility can be used. In this article, we are going to discuss how the industrial purification process was revolutionized by steam-activated carbon.
Activated carbon
Activated carbon is a type of carbon, one of the most abundant elements on earth, and it is industrially manufactured from carbon-rich organic materials such as wood, coconut shell, coal, lignite, and bamboo. High adsorption capacity and porosity are the most distinguished and valuable characteristics of activated carbon, and these characteristics make it a world-class adsorbent that can purify gas and water by trapping pollutants on its porous surface.
The manufacturing process of steam-activated carbon includes two main steps: carbonization and activation. Based on the raw materials and extended production methods used, activated carbon exhibits slightly varying properties, and these properties are used for targeted applications in various industries. Coming back to the production process, carbonization is the process of heating (pyrolysis) raw materials such as wood, coconut shell, and bamboo in an oxygen-limited environment in tailored conditions that ensure the production of good-quality charcoal. The second step in the production of activated carbon is the activation of the charcoal. The carbonized raw material is exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere at a high temperature to activate the carbon. There are also other methods, such as the chemical activation method, to activate the carbonized raw material.
Industries that use steam-activated carbon for purification
Due to its huge surface area, porosity, and incredible adsorption capacity, activated carbon is predominantly used as a purification agent that can remove waste particles and toxic pollutants from water and gas during the industrial production of many products and materials. Activated carbon comes in diverse forms, such as powdered activated carbon (PAC), granular activated carbon (GAC), and pellets. Each of these forms, based on their special characteristics, is used for targeted applications in various industries. However, here are some of the most important industries that use activated carbon for purification:
Water purification: As a powerful adsorbent, water purification is one of the major industrial uses of steam-activated carbon. Whether it is wastewater treatment, regular drinking water treatment, or well water treatment, activated carbon is used to remove all kinds of pollutants from it. Activated carbon removes organic compounds, herbicides, pesticides, other particles, and odour-forming compounds from the water and makes it safe for industrial processes.
Gas treatment: Air or gas treatment is the next major application of activated carbon at the industrial level. Activated carbon removes harmful pollutants such as cyanides, ammonia, VOCs, and unpleasant odours from gases released during industrial procedures. It is also used in solvent recovery procedures as an effective adsorbent.
Chemical industry: Steam-activated carbon is used as an active adsorbent in the chemical industry to add an extra layer of safety. Harmful gases and compounds that can have a severe negative impact on the workers and the environment around such industrial production houses use activated carbon to effectively adsorb these pollutants and keep the employees and surrounding areas safe and free from long-term health risks.
Food and beverage: This is another industry that uses activated carbon’s high adsorption capacity to remove odours, colouring substances, and impurities from their products. Steam-activated carbon is also used in the production of high-end alcoholic beverages in the refinement stage. It is widely used in oil refineries too.
Pharmaceutical: Using special manufacturing processes, activated carbon is also produced, targeting its pharmaceutical usage. It is used in the purification and other manufacturing stages of many drugs, and sometimes it is applied directly for medical conditions such as poisoning.
Soil restoration: activated carbon is widely used for environmental pollution management through purifying water and gas in major industries. But it is also used to adsorb the accumulated pollutants in the soil and restore it to its former healthy state.
Gold extraction: Another major application of activated carbon is gold extraction from its ore. Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) and carbon-in-leach (CIL) are two processes in gold cyanidation, and they are slightly different from each other. In the CIP process, activated carbon is added after the cyanidation leaching to adsorb the gold, while in the CIL process, activated carbon is added directly to the leaching tank, and the adsorption and leaching are carried out simultaneously.
Conclusion
Activated carbon is one of the most widely used and versatile industrial products of this century, and it has revolutionised the purification of water and gas in almost all industries. Southern Carbon is one of the most trusted activated carbon manufacturers in Kerala, producing premium-quality activated carbon in India. We are proud of the active role we take in environmental remediation by aiding major industries in their purifying needs. Now we are one of the major exporters of activated carbon in Japan from India. With a wide range of products in our catalogue, shipping available across the globe, and more than two decades of experience in the industry, we produce high-end and customisable activated carbon from quality raw materials, ensuring high efficiency. Connect with us to learn more about our customisable products and price ranges.