What are the uses of activated carbon in water treatment?

Activated carbon has a wide range of applications in water treatment, mainly due to its excellent adsorption performance and high specific surface area. The following are some of the main applications of activated carbon in water treatment:

1. Removing organic pollutants: Activated carbon can effectively adsorb organic compounds in water, including natural organic compounds (such as humus) and synthetic organic compounds (such as pesticides and industrial chemicals), thereby reducing organic pollution in water.

2. Removing odors and odors: Activated carbon can adsorb odors and odor compounds in water, improving the sensory quality of water. This is particularly important in drinking water treatment and aquariums.

3. Removing chlorine and chloramines: In tap water treatment, activated carbon is often used to remove residual chlorine and chloramines, which not only improves the taste of water but also reduces the corrosion of pipeline systems and equipment by chlorine.

4. Removing chromaticity: Activated carbon helps reduce the chromaticity of water by adsorbing pigments and other substances that cause water to change color, making the water clearer.

5. Removing micro pollutants: Activated carbon can remove trace pollutants in water, such as drug residues, endocrine disruptors, and other trace organic pollutants, which are often difficult to remove through conventional water treatment methods.

6. Pre treatment and post-treatment: In some water treatment processes, activated carbon is used for pre-treatment to remove pollutants that may interfere with subsequent treatment steps; After advanced treatments such as reverse osmosis, activated carbon can also be used to remove residual pollutants.

7. Removal of heavy metals: Activated carbon can also adsorb heavy metal ions in water, such as lead, mercury, and chromium, in some cases, although specialized treatment for heavy metals usually requires modification or combination with other treatment methods.

8. Industrial wastewater treatment: Activated carbon is used to treat organic pollutants and toxic substances in industrial wastewater, ensuring that the wastewater meets discharge standards or is reused.

Through these various methods, activated carbon plays a crucial role in the water treatment process, ensuring water quality safety and meeting environmental standards.