The terms activated carbon, and activated charcoal can be confusing at times. People often wonder whether there’s any difference or not between them. Before availing of professional activated carbon service from a supplier, you need to know the difference between them, and in this post, we will answer that. Besides, we will also discuss what is activated carbon and its uses.
Is There A Difference
Activated charcoal and activated carbon are interchangeable terms used to refer to the same thing. It means activated charcoal and activated carbon are synonymous. Active carbon is another word that is also used to describe the same thing. If you need active carbon or activated charcoal, you can confidently opt for activated carbon service. Continue reading to know more about activated carbon.
What is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon or charcoal is nothing more but a unique form of carbon. Manufacturers ideally process activated charcoal to ensure low-volume small pores that boost the surface area, available for chemical reactions and adsorption. One gram of activated charcoal has an excessive surface area of 32,000 sq. ft.
Manufacturers usually derived activated carbon from charcoal. Due to this reason, it is often known as activated charcoal. When originated from coal, it is known as activated coal. Similarly, when it is obtained from coke, it is described as activated coke. Several companies provide activated carbon service. You can contact any of them if you need activated charcoal to manage operations.
How Is It Made?
There are two different ways to make activated charcoal, but in this post, we will discuss only the one method which is more efficient to produce high quality activated carbon. At first, you will need charcoal to make activated carbon. Place it inside of a tank and apply heat up to 600 to 900 degrees Celsius. It is essential to know that manufacturers don’t use oxygen in this heating process. In the absence of oxygen, the carbon gets exposed to various chemicals like nitrogen, argon, etc.
After that, you have to heat the tank once again at 600 to 1200 degrees Celsius. However, this time you need to expose the carbon to oxygen and steam. In this process, a pore structure is created out of the carbon, and its surface area also increases.
Absorb Or Adsorb
People often wonder if activated carbon is an adsorb or absorb. Before we answer this, let us discuss the difference between “absorb” and “adsorb” first. Absorption can be considered as a mechanism or a chemical effect where the molecules or electrons join. It is a different mechanism from adsorption because the air does not soak ions that undergo the absorption, but the surface does so.
On the other hand, the entire mechanism is based on the surface when it comes to adsorption. In this process, particles stick to the surface. Now coming back to the question, activated charcoal adsorbs. As mentioned above, activated charcoal has a vast surface area than usual, where the discarded substance sticks.
Uses Of Activated Carbon
Activated carbon is an odorless black powder renowned for its excellent toxin-absorbing abilities. Due to this reason, the product is often used in the medical and healthcare industry. Here are the few possible uses of activated charcoal. But before we start the list, it is vital to know that none of these facts are scientifically proven.
- People often use activated charcoal as a natural water filter. It can absorb toxins, bacteria, harmful chemicals, fungus, and viruses from the water. Due to this reason, many people often use it even in commercial water purification systems. Some professional companies provide on-site activated carbon service.
- Some animal studies have shown the fact that activated charcoal reduces gastrointestinal damage and boosts kidney function.
- Overdoses or poisoning often cause diarrhea. At that time, activated charcoal can work great.
- These days most of the teeth-whitening product manufacturers are using activated charcoal in their products. Activated carbon also works excellent in improving oral health conditions.
- Activated carbon is also powerful enough to disrupt abdominal gas. However, researchers have still not understood how it is possible.
- If you search carefully in the market, then you will find many deodorants that contain activated charcoal.
- Activated carbon can easily remove dust, dirt, and toxins. Due to this reason, now many skincare products contain activated carbon.
We hope now you have understood that activated charcoal and activated carbon are the same things and can be used in various industries. Avail activated carbon service from a reputed company to maintain continuity in your business operation.
