How to use activated carbon in water filter system?

27 Mar.,2025

In order to ensure that your daily water is pure and fresh, we need to purify the tap water with filter media such as activated carbon to remove impurities and pollutants from the water supply line.

 

To ensure your daily water is pure and fresh, we need to purify tap water using filtration media such as PET Bottle / PP PE Recycling Machinery to remove impurities and contaminants from the water supply pipes.

What are the specifications and characteristics of activated carbon that can be used for drinking water purification?

How to use activated carbon in water filter system?

Here are some key considerations:  

1. Particle size: The particle size of activated carbon used for water filtration is critical. 8*30 mesh coconut shell granular activated carbon is commonly used in pre-filtration systems, and 20*40 mesh granular activated carbon is commonly used in post-filtration systems. In practical applications, water flow pressure and equipment filtration efficiency should be considered. The appropriate particle size depends on the specific filtration system used. Finer particles provide a larger adsorption surface area, but may result in slower filtration, while larger particles may reduce adsorption efficiency.  

2. Adsorption capacity: The adsorption capacity of activated carbon refers to its ability to adsorb impurities and contaminants in water. It is affected by factors such as iodine value, surface area, pore structure, and impurity properties. Coconut shell granular activated carbon with an iodine value greater than 800 mg/g is usually used in drinking water filtration systems. The larger the iodine value, the higher the adsorption capacity and the higher the water filtration efficiency.  

3. Specific surface area: The adsorption performance of activated carbon depends on its surface area, which is closely related to its pore structure. The larger the surface area, the more adsorption sites, thereby improving the efficiency of removing pollutants.  

4. Carbon Type: Activated carbon can come from a variety of carbon sources, including coal, wood, coconut shells, or peat. Different carbon types result in variations in properties such as pore size distribution and chemical reactivity. Coconut shell-based activated carbon is often preferred for water filtration due to its high adsorption capacity and low impurity content.

How to use activated carbon in water filter system?

5. Ash Content: The ash content of activated carbon refers to the non-carbonaceous material present in it. A lower ash content is ideal because it indicates that the activated carbon is in a purer form. A higher ash content affects its adsorption efficiency and may introduce impurities into the filtered water.  

6.pH Neutrality: Activated carbon used for water filtration should have a neutral pH. It should not significantly change the pH of the water, as this would affect its chemical composition or taste.

Does activated carbon need to be pretreated before it is used for water filtration?

Activated carbon used for water purification needs to be pretreated to remove surface impurities and possible residues to ensure its adsorption effect. The main purpose of pretreatment is to remove impurities and possible residues on the surface of activated carbon to ensure the adsorption effect of activated carbon. The pretreatment method includes soaking the activated carbon in water for several hours and then rinsing the surface of the activated carbon with clean water to remove impurities that fall off during the soaking process. This step is essential to ensure the purity of activated carbon and improve its application effect in water treatment.

1. Soak the activated carbon in clean water for 2-4 hours to allow it to fully absorb water and soften the dirt on the surface.

2. Stir the activated carbon in clean water to remove the dirt from the surface.

3. Repeat the washing 2-3 times until the surface of the activated carbon is clean and free of dirt.

4. Rinse the activated

carbon with clean water to prevent residual cleaning agent from affecting its adsorption capacity. The cleaned activated carbon needs to be dried to remove surface moisture, improve adsorption capacity and extend the service life of the activated carbon. The specific drying steps are as follows: How to use activated carbon in water filter system?

1. Place the activated carbon in a well-ventilated place and let it dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight to avoid negative effects on the activated carbon.  

2. Or put the activated carbon in an oven to dry. The temperature is generally controlled below 100°C for the best.  

3. The drying time varies according to the purpose and brand of the activated carbon, generally taking a few hours to several days.  

Note:  

1. When cleaning and drying activated carbon, it is necessary to avoid using too strong chemical cleaning agents and high-temperature drying to avoid damaging the internal structure and adsorption performance of the activated carbon.  

2. After cleaning and drying, the activated carbon should be sealed and stored in a dry, ventilated, odor-free environment to avoid moisture and external pollution.   In short, pretreatment is a necessary step before the use of activated carbon, which helps to improve its adsorption capacity and service life.  

When applying activated carbon, it must be installed in a filter element or filter cartridge to ensure that water can fully contact the activated carbon. In order to ensure the water contact surface, granular activated carbon can be selected to ensure that the activated carbon is full and symmetrical without gaps. However, for granular activated carbon, a tight method must be used to prevent bypassing when water passes through.  

After a period of use, activated carbon will gradually become saturated and lose its adsorption capacity. At this time, the activated carbon must be rebuilt and replaced. Activated carbon regeneration can be carried out through pyrolysis, steam regeneration or chemical regeneration. Pyrolysis is the most common regeneration method, which can heat the saturated activated carbon to a high temperature, release the adsorbents, and restore vitality. Steam regeneration is the use of high temperature and high pressure steam to evaporate the adsorbents in the activated carbon.  

During use, activated carbon should also be maintained. Once the activated carbon is found to be dark or cracked, it needs regular maintenance. At the same time, it is also necessary to keep the activated carbon dry and avoid moisture and mold.

 

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