Did you know that the "ash content" in activated carbon directly affects its adsorption performance?
What is ash content?
Ash refers to the inorganic residues (metal oxides, inorganic salts, etc.) left after activated carbon is processed at high temperatures, typically accounting for 3%-20% of its composition. The ash content varies significantly depending on the raw materials: coconut shell-based carbon has the lowest ash content (around 3%), coal-based carbon is moderate (10%-15%), and wood-based carbon (especially from fruit shells) has the highest ash content.
Impacts of high ash content:
Clogs pores, reducing adsorption efficiency.
May alter pH levels when dissolved in water (e.g., releasing metal ions in acidic environments).
Risks contaminating products in industrial applications (e.g., pharmaceuticals, food industries).
Selection Tips:
Precision purification: Opt for low-ash coconut shell carbon (ideal for VOC removal and water purification).
Cost-effective option: Coal-based carbon suits industrial exhaust treatment.
Beware of recycled carbon: Repeated reactivation can drastically increase ash content!
Eco Trivia:
Some ash components (e.g., calcium, potassium) can improve soil quality, but avoid improper disposal of carbon with heavy metals!
https://www.naturecarbon.com/wood-based-activated-carbon/granular-activated-carbon.html
