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Activated carbon filter is used to remove chlorine and organic matter from water. It also removes the color and odor from the water so the water becomes dirty. It plays an important role in water purification systems where chlorine is added to decontaminate. ACF is unable to remove germs and hardness.
Activated carbon filters contain carbon particles of various sizes ranging from 10 to 50 mesh. Activated carbon is prepared from coconut shells by burning them in the absence of oxygen, usually in an atmosphere containing nitrogen or another inert gas. This carbon is then activated by steam or chemical methods. In steam activation, this carbon is heated to 750-950°C in the presence of steam. Steam activated carbon has very fine pores that are ideal for adsorbing materials from water.
In chemical activation of carbon, it is mixed with zinc chloride paste and heated to 600-800°C. Chemically activated carbon has large pore sizes and is ideal for adsorbing large molecules from water.
Chlorine and organic compounds are adsorbed on the surface of activated carbon particles in their small pores. Frequent reactivation of the carbon is necessary to increase the efficiency of the activated carbon filter.
There are several factors that affect the performance of carbon filters such as contact time of water on the carbon bed, contaminant concentration, temperature and water pH. Activated carbon filters are less effective at high temperatures than at low temperatures. Water pH also affects pollutant absorption. When we increase the pH by one unit from 7, a 20% more activated carbon surface is required.
Activated carbon filters should be frequently sanitized with steam because carbon supports microbial growth and can contaminate water systems.
