How Does Activated Carbon Purify Our Water and Air?

Many people know activated carbon can remove odors, but they might not understand exactly how it works. Its operating principle is actually quite simple: the interior of activated carbon is covered with microscopic pores invisible to the naked eye, creating an enormous surface area that allows it to adsorb various impurity molecules like a magnet. This characteristic enables activated carbon to play a crucial role in both water and air purification.

I. Water Purification

1. Water Treatment Plants

At water treatment plants, after processes like sedimentation and filtration, water flows into a critical stage—the activated carbon filter bed. The main task here is not disinfection, but improving the water's taste. Activated carbon efficiently adsorbs residual chlorine, chloramines, and potential earthy, musty, or algal odors from the water source. After treatment with activated carbon, the tap water leaving the plant becomes clearer and more refreshing, without that distinct "tap water taste." This is an essential step in ensuring the sensory quality of drinking water.

2. Household Drinking Water

The job of activated carbon isn't finished once tap water enters the home. It is typically a core filter component in household water purifiers. Here, activated carbon plays a dual role: first, it further improves taste by adsorbing trace odors that may arise during pipeline transport; second, it acts as a pretreatment to protect more delicate RO (Reverse Osmosis) membranes from damage by oxidants like residual chlorine. It serves as a fundamental last line of defense for household drinking water safety, directly impacting the quality of every glass of water.

II. Air Purification

1. Industrial Waste Gases

In the industrial sector, activated carbon is a common substance for treating waste gases and meeting environmental standards. Its primary target is adsorbing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene, esters, and other organic waste gases produced by industries like spray painting, printing, and chemical manufacturing. When these gases pass through adsorption towers packed with large quantities of activated carbon, pollutant molecules are trapped, resulting in cleaner emissions. For complex odors in places like sewage stations and waste disposal sites, activated carbon is also an efficient and reliable deodorizing choice.

2. Home and Office Environments

In homes and offices, activated carbon primarily tackles two types of air problems: first, pollutants like formaldehyde and TVOCs that are continuously released after renovations; second, various everyday odors, such as cooking fumes, pet odors, and cigarette smoke. In household air purifiers or fresh air systems, you'll find a thick, composite filter filled with activated carbon—this is the core component specifically responsible for adsorbing these gaseous pollutants. Although it becomes saturated and needs regular replacement, its role in continuously purifying indoor air is direct and effective.

Conclusion and Market Prospects

In summary, the purifying function of activated carbon is widely applied in both household and industrial settings, and it is an indispensable, irreplaceable material. The overall market prospects for activated carbon are favorable. If you are interested in producing activated carbon or starting a business in this field, feel free to contact Hengju Machinery. As a professional manufacturer with over 20 years of experience in producing activated carbon furnaces, Hengju Machinery can provide accurate and expert answers to your various related questions. We look forward to hearing from you.