How is activated carbon made?

The production process of activated carbon mainly includes two key steps: carbonization and activation. The following are the basic steps for making activated carbon:

1. Raw material selection:

-Activated carbon can be made from various carbon containing materials, including wood, coal, coconut shells, fruit pits, and other organic materials. The selected raw materials will affect the characteristics of the final activated carbon.

2. Carbonization:

-During the carbonization process, the raw materials are heated to high temperatures (usually between 400-700 degrees Celsius) in an oxygen deficient environment to remove volatile compounds. This process will leave behind carbonized materials mainly composed of carbon.

3. Activation:

-Activation is the process of heating the carbonized material to a higher temperature (typically between 800-1000 degrees Celsius) while introducing oxidizing gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, or air. This process will form a large number of micropores inside the carbonized material, greatly increasing its specific surface area and adsorption capacity.

-During the activation process, the size and structure of pores are controlled to customize the characteristics of activated carbon to meet different application requirements.

4. Cooling and washing:

-Activated carbon needs to be cooled and washed to remove residual ash and chemicals to ensure its purity and performance.

5. Drying and Grinding:

-The washed activated carbon needs to be dried and then ground or shaped as needed to produce powder, particle, column or other specific forms.

6. Screening and packaging:

-Activated carbon is usually sieved to ensure uniform particle size, and then packaged for sale and use.