Benefits of Activated Carbon

05/31/2013 13:50

Activated Carbon: Interesting Questions Explained

Ever wondered how drinking water is filtered to leave just a crisp clean taste? Curious about how a gas mask works? One main component that is found in both of these items is active carbon, which is also known as activated charcoal. What is activated carbon, you ask? It’s a form of carbon that has gone through a process to increase the surface area by being polluted with low-volume pores through a special process. Without this process, it cannot be used in a water filtration system or gas mask simply because it’s not properly activated to absorb the necessary organic chemicals.

 

How do you use activated charcoal?

You will be surprised at just how many everyday things require activated carbon to work properly. Have smelly shoes or gym bag? Active carbon is used in odor eliminators that can be used in areas that small the worst simply because the activated charcoal attracts these organic smells and keep them trapped in the pores, leaving those gym shoes less smelly or completely odorless. Hospitals that treat people who drank chemicals or overdosed on medication use activated charcoal to remove all the harmful substances from the stomach to keep the person alive. Do you use a water filter that purifies tap water of its contaminants? Activated carbon is used in these products to help remove everything you don’t want in your water leaving you with a clean crisp taste.

 

Because of its many uses, there are many people that use an activated carbon supplier to purchase bulk activated carbon to use around the home. One of the most common ways that it’s used is in reusable water filters. Because many filters can be extremely expensive and require to be replaced every month or more it’s a good idea to purchase a reusable filter to help you save money. Another common use is to remove odors from around the home from pets, dirty laundry, and other harsh smells that can be hard to eliminate. Because of its odor eliminating effects, more cleaning products are incorporating charcoal in its ingredients to help improve the cleaning quality. Many people keep it on hand for medical reasons as well. Believe it or not, a spoonful of activated charcoal can help the digestive track get back on balance because it works like a sponge as it soaks up harmful toxins in the body.

 

How Activated Carbon Is Made

Unlike charcoal, activated charcoal is made with a different process to create its ability to remove odors, help a child who accidentally drank a poisonous liquid, and absorb toxins and other chemicals quickly. The process the charcoal goes through begins with a carbonization method that uses gases to pump tiny holes in the charcoal to create pores. It is then stored in a tank without air at 600-900 degreed Celsius and fused with nitrogen and argon and ends as it’s finally exposed to steam and oxygen in a tank at 650 to 1200 degrees Celsius.