Activated Carbon Now

Activated carbon and activated charcoal are actually the same thing, charcoal is carbon, we will refer to both here so as to avoid any confusion. The “activated” part refers to the processing of carbon to enhance its natural affinity or attraction to other substances, fortunately for us this includes pollutants and organic materials as well, making activated carbon a great filtering material. Carbon naturally has a large surface area due to a number of microscopic holes in its surface. This structure is further enhanced with the introduction of oxygen, usually steam, and this in turn creates more holes, increasing the surface area and absorbtion properties.

The filtering level is determined by how long the activated carbon or activated charcoal are in contact with the water, how dense the carbon or charcoal is packed, and how fast the water is moving past the filter. By varying any or all of three of these, you can vary the filtration.

Water filtration systems use activated carbon or activated charcoal to filter out organic materials that result in foul taste and odors. Activated carbon can filter out significant levels of many harmful or undesirable substances in the water such as; benzene, mercury, organic arsenic compounds and many, many more. Activated carbon is not an all encompassing filter though, it does not absorb sodium, flouride or from water hardness.

Filtration with activated carbon or activated charcoal is not limited to water alone. These amazing substances can filter smell too. From shoe inserts to gas masks activated carbon exhibits its power to absorb the odor or pollution causing compound on a molecular level, and therefore effectively filtering.

Every activated carbon or activated charcoal filter will eventually need to be replaced. Over time, the carbon becomes filled with pollutants, and its absorbant properties slowly diminish. Most manufacturers of these filters have a suggested time frame for replacement. It’s not hard to tell if your filter needs to replaced, you will most likely get this information from the filter itself in the form of a smell or taste…

There is another aspect of activated carbon and activated charcoal that is often overlooked by consumers, and yet another reason to change filters often, bacteria. The substances these filters remove and the honeycomb arrangement of the carbon combine to make a haven for bacteria. The organic materials the filter picks up are great food sources for a myriad of bateria including, typhoid, dysentery and cholera. Remember to change your filter!!!