Activated carbon (or charcoal) is a porous form of carbon commonly used for adsorption and in chemical reactions. The microposority increases its surface area significantly. Adsorption properties are usually enhanced by chemical treatment. Alternatives that work in the same manner are activated coal and coke. There are a number of things relating to activated carbon Philippines residents need to know.
A number of raw materials are available to be used as a source of carbon. They include, among others, coconut husks, nutshells, petroleum pitch, wood and peat among others. There are two main options of activation: a physical process and a chemical one. During physical activation, the raw materials are burned with hot gases in air. The temperature needed for this is anything between 600 and 1200 degree Celsius.
Chemical activation is achieved by first ensuring that the raw material is impregnated with special chemicals. These include, for example, acids, alkalis and salts such as phosphoric acid, calcium chloride, sodium hydroxide and zinc chloride among others. After the addition of these chemicals the materials are taken through a second process known as carbonization. This is done at a temperature of 450 to 900 degrees Celsius. Generally, most the chemical process is more preferred due to the lower temperature needed.
Active charcoal is widely used in the medical field. One of the commonest uses is in managing drug poisoning and overdose resulting from oral intake of certain chemicals. Examples of chemicals for which the charcoal has been effective include arsenic, lithium, ethanol, methanol, cyanide and acids among others. It is available in many places as an over the counter tablet. Caution should be taken to avoid aspiration as it may lead to aspiration pneumonitis.
Industrial applications are numerous. An important use under this category is the removal of pollutants from air and water sources. Removal of pollutants may be needed in the case of spillages, filtration of drinking of water, capture of volatile organic compounds, VOCs (derivatives of organic compounds) and remediation of ground water. As purification goes on, the concentration of radon can also be determined.
There are various classes of active charcoal that exist. These classes are based on physical properties such as the iodine number, the ash level, the mesh size and the surface area among others. The different attributes make different types of active charcoal suitable for different uses. The finest powdered charcoal has granules whose average diameter is less than a millimeter. It is the best choice in chemical reactions. Granular charcoal, which has coarser granules, is best for water filtration.
Mercury scrubbing is another important application. This is important in coal power stations and medical incinerators. For the charcoal to be effective for this use, it is first mixed with iodine or sulfur. The mercury binds irreversibly to the charcoal which helps clean the equipment involved. The reluctant compound is usually disposed of in a land fill as long as the concentration of the mercury is less than 260 parts per million.
Activated charcoal is a compound with numerous applications that range from industrial to agricultural to medical. The list has been growing by the day as more uses are discovered. If you have plans of using the charcoal, ensure that you get in touch with an expert. This is because, there are different types all with different physical properties.
A number of raw materials are available to be used as a source of carbon. They include, among others, coconut husks, nutshells, petroleum pitch, wood and peat among others. There are two main options of activation: a physical process and a chemical one. During physical activation, the raw materials are burned with hot gases in air. The temperature needed for this is anything between 600 and 1200 degree Celsius.
Chemical activation is achieved by first ensuring that the raw material is impregnated with special chemicals. These include, for example, acids, alkalis and salts such as phosphoric acid, calcium chloride, sodium hydroxide and zinc chloride among others. After the addition of these chemicals the materials are taken through a second process known as carbonization. This is done at a temperature of 450 to 900 degrees Celsius. Generally, most the chemical process is more preferred due to the lower temperature needed.
Active charcoal is widely used in the medical field. One of the commonest uses is in managing drug poisoning and overdose resulting from oral intake of certain chemicals. Examples of chemicals for which the charcoal has been effective include arsenic, lithium, ethanol, methanol, cyanide and acids among others. It is available in many places as an over the counter tablet. Caution should be taken to avoid aspiration as it may lead to aspiration pneumonitis.
Industrial applications are numerous. An important use under this category is the removal of pollutants from air and water sources. Removal of pollutants may be needed in the case of spillages, filtration of drinking of water, capture of volatile organic compounds, VOCs (derivatives of organic compounds) and remediation of ground water. As purification goes on, the concentration of radon can also be determined.
There are various classes of active charcoal that exist. These classes are based on physical properties such as the iodine number, the ash level, the mesh size and the surface area among others. The different attributes make different types of active charcoal suitable for different uses. The finest powdered charcoal has granules whose average diameter is less than a millimeter. It is the best choice in chemical reactions. Granular charcoal, which has coarser granules, is best for water filtration.
Mercury scrubbing is another important application. This is important in coal power stations and medical incinerators. For the charcoal to be effective for this use, it is first mixed with iodine or sulfur. The mercury binds irreversibly to the charcoal which helps clean the equipment involved. The reluctant compound is usually disposed of in a land fill as long as the concentration of the mercury is less than 260 parts per million.
Activated charcoal is a compound with numerous applications that range from industrial to agricultural to medical. The list has been growing by the day as more uses are discovered. If you have plans of using the charcoal, ensure that you get in touch with an expert. This is because, there are different types all with different physical properties.
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