Activated carbon pellets are produced from raw materials that contain high carbon content. These include materials coal, wood, willow peat, petroleum pitch, and coconut husk. It is used in a wide range of chemical and industrial processes around the globe.
In its manufacturing process, the carbon goes through a chemical activation process which expands its pore structure and produces a large internal surface area. In general, the carbon pellets large surface area makes them highly efficient and effective adsorbent.
Particular Features and Benefits
Carbon pellets are primarily used to absorb the airborne volatile organic compounds. They have a reasonable pore structure, large surface area, strong adsorption capacity, high mechanical strength, and long working time.
Pellets are activated carbon compressed into formed cylinders, and used for various purposes, such as removing contaminants, mercury from natural, and controlling odor. The pelletized activated carbon is manufactured as cylindrical pellets through the extrusion of activated carbon. These pellets commonly have a diameter ranging from 0.8 to 5 mm. However, if needed they can made at customize sizes depending on industrial requirements.
Further, by varying their manufacturing conditions, they can be given unique adsorption properties as per your needs. Also, they can be termed as environmentally responsible material that can be reactivated through thermal oxidation. Hence, their applications vary due to their differing impurities and process conditions.
Carbon Pellets Applications
1. Air Purification
Due to their special properties that allow it to remove VOCs, odors and other gaseous pollutants from the air, it’s commonly used in carbon air purifiers. These air purifiers are frequently used to remove gases through carbon filter pellets. They are ideal for removing odors from the air, for instance, the smell of tobacco smoke. However, they cannot be used to remove fine particles such as dust and pollen from the air.
2. Mercury Removal
Pellets made from activated carbon also help plant to treat a variety of flue gas compositions. Particularly it helps removing mercury - a toxic and corrosive material – that is present in very low concentrations. In fact, due to the adsorption capabilities of activated charcoal, high levels of mercury efficiency can also be attained.
3. Water Processing
The activated carbon granules are commonly used in the water filtration processes, both in commercial and residential filtering plants. The catalytic activated carbon present in water filters reacts faster than conventional carbons, hence they require smaller adsorption equipment and utilize less material.
4. Gas Processing
Refineries of natural gas and chemical manufacturers depend on charcoal pellets to remove contaminants from their products.
In natural gas reserves, a large concentration of mercury is found and removed with the assistance of activated carbon granules, which if not removed can lead to decomposition of several materials.
5. Skin Treatment
Apart from the industrial uses of activated carbon granules, they can be found beneficial for topical uses.
Coconut carbon granules are used in the treatment for snake bites, body odor, as well as poison oak treatments. Besides, they also help in removing micro particles, such as dirt, chemicals, and bacteria.
How to Handle Activated Carbon Pellets?
Activated carbon can be stored for several years without any worry. However, it requires protection from contaminating vapours and liquids. They can be stored in large sacks, in cool dry places – away from chemical and corrosive substances.
Though the material is not highly sensitive to moisture but if it gets wet, its overall capacity will be reduced. This will reduce its effectiveness when used for multiple purposes. Therefore, it’s ideal to store them in a container that is made from steel, aluminium or plastic, which can keep it safely stored for a long passage of time.
Summary
The Charcoal pellets are easy to use and easy-to-handle material used in diverse industries for multiple purposes. For over years, numerous global manufactures have been taking advantage of this magical product in their plants.
Their large surface area makes them highly efficient and an effective adsorbent. They have a reasonable pore structure, strong adsorption capacity and high mechanical strength, which ultimately gives them long working time. Besides, they also keep the ability to be used for various application due to varying structure.
Its multiple application includes air purification, mercury removal, water processing, gas processing, and more. Moreover, it can be easily used for years if it’s stored properly as suggested by its manufacturers.
