Activated carbon works by attracting and binding molecules to its surface, effectively removing them from the surrounding environment. The process of activating carbon involves treating it with high heat and steam to create a network of pores and increase its surface area, which enhances its adsorption capacity.
Iodine is often added to activated carbon to improve its ability to remove certain types of contaminants, such as organic compounds, chlorine, and some heavy metals. The use of coconut shells as a feedstock for activated carbon production is also becoming increasingly popular due to their abundance, renewability, and sustainability.
| Grain size | Intensity | Moisture | Ashes | Methylene blue adsorption value(mg/g) | Iodine adsorption value(mg/g) | Bulk density(g/L) | Carbon tetrachloride adsorption value | Application |
| (Meshes) | (%) | (%) | (%) | |||||
| 8-16 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 190 | 1050 | 380-480 | 65 | air or |
| 8-30 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 190 | 1050 | 380-480 | 65 | water |
| 4-6 | 90 | 5 | 8-15 | 180 | 1000 | 400-500 | 60 | Catalyst carrier |
| 4-8 | 90 | 5 | 8-15 | 190 | 1050 | 380-480 | 65 | purified |
| 8-16 | 95 | 5 | 8-15 | 180 | 1000 | 400-500 | 60 | water |
| 8-30 | 95 | 5 | 8-15 | 170 | 950 | 400-520 | 55 | liquid |
| 12-30 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 180 | 1000 | 400-520 | 60 | phase |
| 12-40 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 170 | 950 | 400-520 | 55 | adsorption |
| 4-6 | 90 | 5 | 8-15 | 170 | 950 | 400-520 | 55 | Air purifying |
| 4-8 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 180 | 1000 | 380-500 | 60 | industrial |
| 4-10 | 93 | 5 | 8-15 | 180 | 1000 | 380-500 | 60 | water treatment |
| 8-30 | 95 | 5 | 8-15 | 160 | 950 | 400-520 | 55 | decolorization |
| 12-30 | 95 | 5 | 8-15 | 160 | 950 | 400-520 | 55 | drainage |
| 12-40 | 95 | 5 | 8-15 | 150 | 900 | 400-520 | 55 | treatment |
