Activated Carbon Filter | Working | Usage | Pros & Cons!

We all have listened about the activated carbon filter quite a few times while buying an air purifier, AC or water purifier. But the working process may be unknown to us. 

Therefore, through this article, we will break the mystery behind the activated carbon filter. We will also explain what activated carbons are, their usages and other related factors.

What is Activated Carbon?

Activated carbon is also known as activated charcoal, activated coal, or active carbon. It is an essential element. 

Its high surface area and a high degree of surface reactivity makes it an excellent absorbent component.

Also its different pore structures give it the adsorption capacity.

It can absorb impurities from water and even can dechlorinate it. Also it can deodorize the air.

Therefore, they are instrumental in the water and air purification field. Other than that, it has it’s command in metal recovery, petroleum purification industry. 

Food, and other industries also use this component for purification purposes. 

What is Activated Carbon Filter?

Activated carbon filters are made with activated carbon. By using the adsorption method it captures the impurities.

And thereby, it purifies components like water and air.

Use of Activated Carbon Filter In Water Purification 

The activated carbon has high adsorption power. Therefore, the water purifiers use the carbon layer as a process of water filtration. 

When the water passes through the filter, the chemicals stick to it. 

And this way, it makes the water drinkable.

Not only drinkable but also tastier. It makes the water dechlorinated, deodorized, and decolorized.

Use of Activated Carbon Filter in Air Purification 

The working process may change a bit in terms of air purification. But the method remains the same.

Here also, the activated charcoal uses the adsorption method.

First the carbon filter comes in contact with the oxygen. Then it opens up millions of pores. 

After that the carbon reacts with the impurities.

As a result the impurities in the air sticks to the filter. And thus this filter works in the air purifiers.

Along with the HEPA filter and the PM 2.5 filter, the carbon filters do a great job altogether.

The HEPA and PM 2.5 filters can capture the inhalable coarse particles. And the carbon filters capture the VOCs and other harmful impurities in the air.

That’s why the anti VOC filters use activated carbon to trap the volatile organic compounds.

Thus, the carbon filter acts as a filtration component in the air purifiers and air conditioners.

Pros of Activated Carbon Filter

The advantages of having the carbon filter in an air purification system are that,

And the perks it gives you to use it in a water purifier is that,

• It makes the water drinkable, eliminating harmful chemicals.
• It makes the water tastier.

Cons of Activated Carbon Filter

Having the activated carbon filter can be disadvantageous as well. In the air purification method,

• The carbon filters can not work alone. It would help the other filters like HEPA and P.M 2.5.

In terms of water purification,

Types of Activated Carbon

You can see five types of activated carbon. Such as,

Coconut Shell Based

You can use them for water purification and critical cases of air purification. It is very effective.

Therefore, You can trust this method.

Also the process is very tidy and does no harm to the environment.

Coal Based

It is a very economical filtration process. You can use this method in water purification.

Wood Based Activated Carbon

You can use this filtration method in the Industrial applications. It has an easy renewable source of raw substances.

Catalytic Based Activated Carbon

With this filtration process you make the water free from hydrogen sulfide. It also purifies chloramines. 

You can use this method for easy water purification.

Impregnated Activated Carbon

This process is perfectly suitable for both air and water purification. This is the only activated carbon type that does both the jobs properly.

Final Words!

With the growth of inventions, the activated carbon method is also evolving. These are very effective.

And you can use them for the safety purposes of your health. 

We recommend you choose the processes that are less harmful to the mature. This will benefit you more both in long and short term.