Friday, July 1, 2016

Important Information On Activated Carbon Philippines Residents Should Have

By Anthony Johnson


Activated charcoal or carbon is a form of carbon that has special properties. It is finely ground into fine granules before being treated further to make it an ideal material for chemical reactions and adsorption. The grinding process markedly increases the surface area of the carbon. Substances that may have similar properties include activated coke and coal. There are several things on activated carbon Philippines residents need to understand.

The carbon is produced from a number of raw materials. Those commonly used include peat, wood, petroleum pitch, coconut husks and nutshells among others. Activation is achieved through two main options: chemical and physical. The physical process involves the exposure of raw materials to hot gases in the presence of air. This is done at high temperatures ranging from 600 degrees Celsius and 1200 degrees Celsius.

Chemical activation is achieved by first ensuring that the raw material is impregnated with special chemicals. These include, for example, acids, alkalis and salts such as phosphoric acid, calcium chloride, sodium hydroxide and zinc chloride among others. After the addition of these chemicals the materials are taken through a second process known as carbonization. This is done at a temperature of 450 to 900 degrees Celsius. Generally, most the chemical process is more preferred due to the lower temperature needed.

Active charcoal is widely used in the medical field. One of the commonest uses is in managing drug poisoning and overdose resulting from oral intake of certain chemicals. Examples of chemicals for which the charcoal has been effective include arsenic, lithium, ethanol, methanol, cyanide and acids among others. It is available in many places as an over the counter tablet. Caution should be taken to avoid aspiration as it may lead to aspiration pneumonitis.

Industrial applications are numerous. An important use under this category is the removal of pollutants from air and water sources. Removal of pollutants may be needed in the case of spillages, filtration of drinking of water, capture of volatile organic compounds, VOCs (derivatives of organic compounds) and remediation of ground water. As purification goes on, the concentration of radon can also be determined.

There are various classes of active charcoal that exist. These classes are based on physical properties such as the iodine number, the ash level, the mesh size and the surface area among others. The different attributes make different types of active charcoal suitable for different uses. The finest powdered charcoal has granules whose average diameter is less than a millimeter. It is the best choice in chemical reactions. Granular charcoal, which has coarser granules, is best for water filtration.

Active charcoal plays a vital role in mercury scrubbing. This is necessary in medical incinerators and power plants that are powered by coal. The charcoal is first impregnated with iodine or sulfur to make it most effective for this purpose. The resultant compound is then disposed of in a landfill.

Active charcoal is a compound that has a wide range of other applications. These range from industrial, to medical to agricultural uses. The list continues to grow by the day. Always consult an expert on the type of charcoal that would be appropriate in your situation.




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