General uses for activated carbon

Activated carbons are porous typically coal, wood or coconut-based materials treated with high-temperature steam under controlled conditions, enhancing their ability to adsorb a wide variety of chemical substances. Common applications include water and air purification, with a vast array of specific uses within these domains.

At James Cumming and Sons, we manufacture and supply C&S Brand Australian Granular (GAC) and Powdered (PAC) Activated Carbons for water and wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) removal and the removal of various other organic compounds.

The ideal product for each project will depend on specific objectives. Essentially, the effectiveness of activated carbon relies on its capacity for rapid adsorption and the contact time it has with contaminants in the water or air stream.

In wastewater treatment, industries such as steel manufacture, munitions factories, petroleum refineries and mineral processing plants are increasingly turning to activated carbon. It effectively removes undesirable or hazardous organic compounds to levels acceptable to government authorities for disposal into sewerage systems or water courses.

While PACs may work in conjunction with biological treatment processes, wastewater treatment predominantly favours GACs due to their versatility and capacity to handle influent wastewater of varying nature. GACs are often favoured when the organic removal requirement is more developed on a time scale, whereas PACs can be more effective at controlling and minimising the effects of spiking in concentrations of algal taste and odour compounds, for instance. Water Utilities around Australia for instance, typically move from PAC to GAC treatment, of the same compounds, when the seasonality of spikes, lasts longer than 6 months, this is when it tends to be more cost effective treatment method to use the adsorption characteristics of GACs instead of PACs.

Adsorption is an effective method for pollution control and remediation, removing harmful organic compounds from air and water, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These human-made chemicals, with high vapour pressure and low water solubility, emanate from everyday products such as paint and cleaning supplies, causing short-term and long-term adverse health effects.

Activated carbon’s adsorption capabilities also include a variety of hydrocarbons, including aromatics and other organic compounds commonly found in air and water.