150 Graphene Manufacturer Listing

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. It is the basic structural element of other carbon allotropes like graphite, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes.

More About Graphene :

Graphene is remarkable for several reasons:

Two-Dimensional Structure: Graphene is essentially a flat, two-dimensional material. It is just one atom thick, which makes it one of the thinnest materials known to humanity.
Exceptional Strength: Despite its extreme thinness, graphene is incredibly strong. It is more than 100 times stronger than the strongest steel.
Excellent Conductivity: Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity. Electrons move through it with minimal resistance, making it highly conductive.
Thermal Conductivity: It also has exceptional thermal conductivity, allowing it to dissipate heat efficiently.
Transparency: Graphene is transparent, allowing light to pass through. This property has applications in transparent conductive coatings for electronic devices.
Flexibility: Graphene is flexible and can be bent or stretched without losing its structural integrity.
Lightweight: It is incredibly lightweight due to its thinness.
Barrier Properties: Graphene is impermeable to gases and liquids, making it an excellent barrier material.

The discovery of graphene and its unique properties led to the award of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who were the first to isolate and study it in detail. Graphene has a wide range of potential applications, including in electronics, energy storage, materials science, and even medicine. Researchers continue to explore and develop various applications for this remarkable material, and it holds promise for many groundbreaking innovations.

Graphene stands as the most slender and robust material in our scientific repertoire. It consists of a lone layer of carbon atoms, intricately woven into a hexagonal lattice, serving as the fundamental building block for a myriad of carbon-related industrial and manufacturing applications, encompassing graphite, charcoal, and carbon nanotubes.

The applications of graphene are multifaceted, ranging from the development of lightweight, thin, and flexible electric and photonic circuits to the creation of cutting-edge solar cells. Moreover, it serves as an essential component for a diverse array of products utilized in the realms of medicine, chemistry, and industrial processes.

New companies may have entered the market since then, and the status of existing companies may have changed. Here are top 100 graphene-related entities:

AMO GmbH (Germany) Research
1st Graphene (UK, Australia)
2-DTech (UK) : 2-DTech is a graphene company closely aligned with Manchester’s world-leading graphene group. The company supplies the highest quality graphene and other 2-D materials internationally. They also work closely with industry and researchers to help turn scientific innovation into groundbreaking products.
2D Carbon Tech (China): 2D Carbon focuses on mass-production of large-scale graphene transparent conductive film, including producing and selling graphene transparent conductive film, researching, developing and technical supporting of applied technology in transparent electrode, energy storage, electronic devices
2D Materials (2DM): graphene manufacturer and also provides application-oriented solutions by engineering 2D advanced materials into available materials and production processes in highly competitive industries.
Abalonyx (Norway)
ACS Material : a high-tech enterprise involved in advanced nanomaterials development and production.
Adnano Technologies : a supplier of various forms of graphene and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. They also provide analytical services like FESEM, TEM, AFM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, Contact Angle, BET, Zeta sizer and Master sizer.
Advanced Carbon Materials (China)
Advanced Graphene Products (Poland): a spin-off company from the Lodz University of Technology. The company is a producer and supplier of the high quality large-area graphene – High Strength Metallurgical Graphene™
Advanced Material Development (UK)
AHN Materials : A graphene manufacturer.
Alfa Chemistry (USA)
Alfields : manufactures and markets two new carbon allotropes: Novamene (combining of hexagonal diamond and graphene) and Protomene (composed entirely of switch carbon atoms with no hexagonal rings).
Angstron Materials (USA): Scientists at Ångstron Materials (a spin-off from Nanotek Instruments, Inc.) have developed a new class of nanomaterials now commonly referred to as nano-scaled graphene plates or platelets (NGPs) and NGP nanocomposites.
Anderlab Technologies (India)
Advanced Graphene Products (Poland)
Applied Graphene Materials : has developed a proprietary bottom up process for the production of high specification graphene. Applied Graphene Materials owns the intellectual property and know-how behind this process. They provide dispersion and product integration expertise, to deliver solutions for a wide range of applications.
Applied Nanotech, Inc. (USA) : The company and its advanced nano material research center (ANLab) focuses on research, development, and large scale production of nanomaterials, in particular graphene. It sells its graphene products under the trademark VNGRAPHENE.
Avadain : Avadain’s breakthrough technology produces superior-quality graphene flakes at low cost using a patented, ecofriendly process.
AVANSA Technology & Services : specializes in analytical characterization, consultancy, and synthesis of nanomaterials serving to nanotechnology-based industries, universities and institutes. They also manufacture carbon nanotubes, graphene, and various nanoparticles.
Avanzare : The company is specialized in the production of different bulk graphene and graphene/graphite nanoplatelets, industrial and lab grades. Ranging from graphene oxide grades, along with partially reduced and highly reduced graphene oxide grades, to printine graphene. Dispersions and masterbatches are also available upon customer request.
AzTrong ：A supplier of functionalized graphene in the forms of inks, powders, slurries, and films for a wide range of applications and solutions.
BeDimensional : produces graphene and other two-dimensional crystals on an industrial scale.
Beike Nano 2D Materials : The company specializes in 2D nanomaterials technology companies with a focus on MXenes and MAX phase materials, MOFs and COFs materials, and black phosphorus.
Black Magic Carbon (USA)
Bottom Up Technology Corporation : The company manufactures graphene and caron nanotubes.
Cambridge Graphene: Supplies novel graphene inks and develops graphene/2D materials technology and applications for customers.
Cambridge Nanosystems (UK)
Carben Semicon Ltd (India)
CealTech (Sweden)
Chemicals 101 Corp (CA)
Graphene Layers (US)
Cabot Corp. (USA)
Carbon Gates Technologies : The company mass produces high quality graphene with a proprietary process.
Carbon Rivers (USA)
Carbon Waters :The company has developed and patented a unique process to produce very high-quality graphene in water. Unlike graphene oxide dispersions, their graphene is pure, stable and safe to use in research and industrial contexts.
Carborundum Universal Limited : The company is producing its GRAFINO product range of graphene powders and materials.
Cealtech : The company produces graphene with its proprietary FORZA™ production unit, an industrial-scale, Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PE-CVD) reactor.
Cheap Tubes, Inc (USA): A supplier of various forms of carbon nanotubes and graphene.
China Carbon Graphite Group (China)
CVMR : The company produces graphene for use in batteries, net shapes, desalination plants, construction materials and other industrial applications as well as various metal nanopowders.
Directa Plus (Italy): is a technology company pursuing the development and marketing of innovative manufacturing processes for the production of graphene. Their G+ is a continuous, simple and scalable manufacturing process which leads to products based on graphene with its specific technical characteristics.
Elcora Advanced Materials : Elcora is a vertically integrated graphite and graphene company. The company mines, processes, refines graphite, and targets high-end graphite markets including li-ion batteries and graphene R&D.
First Graphene : A graphene supplier of high performing graphene products sold under the PureGRAPH® product brand.
G6 Materials Corp (Canada)
Garmor : Garmor has developed a simple yet effective method of producing edge-functionalized graphene oxide. This proprietary achievement eliminates costly hazardous waste disposal and delivers a product suitable for large scale production at commodity-type prices. (Graphene Oxide)
General Graphene : The company is a provider of industrial scale CVD graphene and product development support directed at industrial companies interested in leveraging the remarkable properties of graphene.
Global Graphene Group (G3) : Global Graphene Group was founded as a holding company in 2015 for Angstron Energy Company, Honeycomb Battery Company, Angstron Materials Group, Nanotek Instruments, and Taiwan Graphene Company and brought together the 5 divisions under one holding company structure. The company has 300 tonnes p.a. graphene production capacity. Global Graphene Group, Inc. (G3) is a leading material science technology and product solutions company focused on graphene. It has an award-winning, best-in-class intellectual property portfolio with more than 525 patents and applications. In addition, G3 holds many of the world’s firsts in graphene-related breakthroughs that have resulted in cutting edge products. G3, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is the holding company for a variety of subsidiaries.
Gnanomat : Gnanomat designs, develops and manufacture engineered graphene-based nanomaterials to address different industrial applications with special emphasis in Energy Storage.
Goodfellow Corp. (USA)
GOgraphene : GOgraphene are specialist manufacturers and suppliers of graphene oxide. (Graphene Oxide)
GOLeafe : produces spherical graphene oxide, reduced graphene, boron doped graphene, phosphorus doped graphene as well nitrogen doped graphene through their innovative production process. (Graphene Oxide)
Grafoid :The company’s core business development activities are built around the transformation of graphite into graphene on a commercial scale using primarily raw, unprocessed graphite.
Grahope New Materials Technologies : The company design and manufactures various graphene-based products such as its patented graphene heating film, including graphene powder coatings.
Graphenano : The company develops and produces graphene and carbon nanofiber materials.
Graphene 3D Lab inc: focused on the development and manufacturing of graphene-enhanced materials for 3D printing, with proprietary technologies aimed at enhancing the properties of materials currently used in 3D printers.
Graphene Frontiers : The company’s graphene production technology was developed at the University of Pennsylvania. The science behind the technology is a cheaper and more consistent method of manufacturing graphene.
Graphene Industries : Graphene Industries is the world’s first supplier of atomically thin, crystallographically perfect films of graphitic carbon, known as graphenes.
Graphene Square : Graphene square was founded upon the university-industry cooperation with Graphene Research Lab (Prof. Byung Hee Hong) at Seoul National University. The company aspires to provide the best quality products and services based on leading scientific knowledge and excellent laboratory practice.
Graphene Star : Graphene Star Ltd is a UK manufacturing company producing highly pure graphene and superior quality graphene products. Their manufacturing process is innovative, efficient with minimal wastage and entirely environmentally friendly. It is also cost-effective, which allows them to produce remarkably high-quality graphene materials at affordable prices.
Graphenea Nanomaterials : Graphenea is a private company focused on the production of high quality graphene for industrial applications.
Grapheneca : Using their own highly effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly production process, the company produces graphene and develop graphene-based technology for industries and consumers.
Graphenemex :The company seeks to develop solutions for market-ready graphene applications. In that regard, they produce specific graphene materials to meet the requirements of each development.
Graphenest: Graphenest is a startup with a highly scalable technology for the prodution of graphene and other nanomaterials.
GrapheneTech : GrapheneTech develops and uses top-down processes for graphite exfoliation. This allows the production of nano-graphite and graphene of different kinds, mainly of the so called graphite nanoplatelets. The company’s products can be used as a load in polymers, paints and coatings, ink and ceramic or metal composites. Its use can improve mechanical properties, provide thermal and electrical conductivity, help as diffusion barrier or improve flame retardancy.
Graphene Frontiers (USA)
Graphene One LLC (USA)
Graphene 3D Lab (Canada)
Graphite Central (USA)
Graphenea (Spain)
Graphensic (Sweden)
Graphite Innovation and Technologies (Canada)
Graphene Flagship(UK)
Graphmatech (Sweden)
Global Graphene Group (USA)
Grolltex (USA) : short for ‘graphene-rolling-technologies’, is an advanced materials and equipment company with its core strength creating products based on single layer, CVD generated graphene.
Group NanoXplore : The company specializes in the unique science of graphene and its derivative materials. NanoXplore’s initial focus is on applications where graphene provides significant added value and bulk quantities of high quality graphene provide a competitive advantage. Near term opportunities are in industries such as paints and lubricants, textiles, and energy.
Grupo Antolin (Spain)
Global Graphene Group (USA)
Goodfellow (UK)
Haydale (UK):The company’s goal is to be world leading in the functionalisation and characterisation of carbon nanotubes, graphene and other nano materials.
Hexorp : A manufacturer of graphene products.
HQ Graphene (DUTCH) : A Dutch manufacturer of graphene and other 2D crystal materials.
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy)
Instituto Nacional del Grafeno (Spain)
KennedyLabs : Kennedy Labs is a nanofabrication company creating graphene and other graphene like 2D materials for microelectronic applications and novel stand alone devices.
KNV’S : The company produces graphene and graphene oxide materials.
Kyma Technologies : Kyma’s Materials products include GaN and related III-N materials, Ga2O3 and related materials, graphene and related materials.
LayerOne :A producer of graphene oxide and graphene oxide derivatives.
Leadernano: The company focuses on the development, production and application of graphene and related applications.
Levidian : The company’s patented technology uses waste gas to produce a continuous flow of high grade, low-cost green graphene and hydrogen.
Matexcel (USA): A service provider in materials science, with years of commitment to supply polymers, nanoparticles, graphene and other materials for worldwide customers from both academia and industry. Matexcel offers a full range of materials covering polymers, metals, ceramics and natural materials, in addition to professional consultation service in manufacturing and characterization.
Millipore Sigma (USA) : A supplier of graphene materials.
Modern Synthesis Technology : The company manufactures graphene, fullerenes and other carbon nanomaterials.
NanoChemazone : A manufacturer and supplier of Nanomaterials, Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes, Nanodiamonds, Nanoparticles, Nanoceramics, Quantum Dots, Metal Nanopowders, Fullerenes, Nanowires, Nano- and Micro- Salts & Derivatives.
Nano Carbon Technologies (Israel)
nanoEMI : The company is focused on the production of 2D materials (graphene flakes, MoS2, h-BN) and the development of new composite materials using these 2D components.
Nanografen: The company produces high quality graphene and prepares graphene prototypes for several fields such as energy, aerospace, automotive, construction by reducing the manufacturing costs effectively.
Nanografi: A manufacturer of various nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene.
NanoGraphene (USA): The company produces commercial-scale, un-oxidized ordered pristine graphene flakes with different sizes (depending upon customers requirement), having a number of layers up to five.
NanographeneX : A manufacturer of graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and various nanoparticles and nanoparticle dispersions.
Nanoinnova Technologies : NanoInnova Technologies designs, develops and commercializes instrumentation and nanostructured surfaces for research groups at the cutting edge frontier of nanotechnology.
NanoIntegris Technologies, Inc. (Canada) : Supplier of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of uniform diameter and/or electronic type as well as graphene nanoplatelets.
Nanomatrix Materials : The company is a nano and advanced material manufacturer which uses proprietary disruptive graphene technology and its integration into smart applications.
NanoResearch Elements : A provider of nanomaterials.
Nanospan : The company is active in in manufacture, supply and application of graphene related materials. They offer a range of graphene types, functionalized graphene, graphene intermediates, carbon nanotubes and nanomaterials.
NanoSperse (USA)
Nanotech Energy (USA)
NanoXplore (Canada) : A manufacturer and supplier of high volume graphene powder for use in industrial markets.
National Research Council of Canada (Canada)
National University of Singapore Graphene Research Centre (Singapore)
Neograf Solutions (USA)
Ningbo Morsh : A large graphene manufacturer that provides graphene nanoplatelets in powder and paste forms for Li-ion battery and composites applications.
Nippon Shokubai : In 2017 the company announced a successful mass production test of Graphene Oxide based materials. It subsequently has provided graphene oxide based materials as samples for application development.
Noble 3D Printers : The company has realized a facile, one pot, industrial scalable production process for mass producing magnetic graphene.
Norwegian Graphite: A technology development and natural resource company, focused both on the development of commercial applications of graphene and on the exploration and development of a portfolio of unique quality flake graphite properties in Norway.
NOVAMECHANICS Ltd (Greece)
NTherm (USA)
Paragraf : The company produces large area graphene to the highest quality, beyond current industry standards, through our combined expertise in thin film materials production, solid state structure processing and novel material product application.
Perpetuus Advanced Materials: An advanced material manufacturer primarily focused on surface engineered carbon structures such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. Perpetuus has developed and is commercializing a process for producing industrial scale, cost effective, surface engineered advanced materials, commencing with graphene.
planarTECH : The company manufactures graphene and 2D materials.
Platonic Nanotech : The company uses its proprietary bottom-up process for the production of high quality graphene.
Reade Advanced Materials (US)
RD Graphene : RD Graphene was incorporated after winning the Scottish Higgs Edge 2016 for its transformational, patent pending Graphene manufacturing process. The invented process is disruptive as it enables the use of Graphene in an unlimited number of applications. Industry standard cycle times to produce Graphene is around 17 hours, making it cost-prohibitive for applications. RD Graphene?s truly design-for-manufacture (DFM) process creates 3D graphene at room temperature on any surface with cycle times in seconds and therefore enables high volume manufacture. Application sectors for this ground breaking technology are (bio-) sensors, energy, flexible electronics, wearables, water treatment and many more.
Sixonia Tech : The company’s core technology is the electrochemical production and functionalization of large-flake, few-layer graphene and its processing into various formulations.
Source Graphene : The company is specialized in the production of Graphene Oxide in water dispersion.
Standard Graphene :The company employs its proprietary production technology to produce graphene and graphene oxide materials.
Stanford Advanced Materials : Stanford Advanced Materials Corporation is a global supplier of a series of pure metals, alloys, ceramics and minerals such as oxides, chlorides, sulfides, oxysalts, etc.
SurgePower Materials Inc (USA)
Suzhou Graphene Nanotechnology : The company manufactures high-quality few-layer graphene.
Talga Resources (Australia)
The Sixth Element Materials Technology (China): The company offers specially designed graphene powder and graphene suspension products for different applications like biomedicine, batteries, energy storage, electronics, composites, reinforced plastics, rubbers, adhesives, coatings and paints.
Thomas Swan : An established supplier of carbon nanotubes with a reputation for quality and reliability. Supplies multi-kg quantities of few layer graphene nanoplatelets and also non-carbon 2D materials such as boron nitride and molybdenum disulphide.
Versarien : The company is is an advanced engineering materials group that produces graphene materials under the name Nanene™.
Vorbeck Materials : Vorbeck develops Vor-x graphene products to meet real-world industrial challenges. Vor-ink formulations harness the exceptional conductivity of graphene
William Blythe : A specialty chemicals manufacturer that also supplies graphene oxide as dispersion, powder or flakes.
XFNANO Materials (China)
Xiamen Knano Graphene Technology : Xiamen Knano Graphene Technology Co.,Ltd. is the first company involving in mass production and the applications development of Graphene and Graphene nanoplatelets in the mainland China.
XG Sciences (USA)
Versarien (UK)

Top 50 Graphene Research Institutes

Graphene research is conducted at numerous institutions and organizations around the world. Here’s a list of more than 50 research institutes and universities known for their contributions to graphene research as of my last knowledge update in September 2021. Please note that there may be additional institutes and developments since then:

University of Manchester – National Graphene Institute
University of Cambridge – Graphene Centre
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Graphene Research Lab
Stanford University – Stanford Graphene Research Center
University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley Graphene Research Center
National University of Singapore – Graphene Research Center
University of Texas at Austin – Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials: Graphene Center
University of Pennsylvania – Nano/Bio Interface Center
Seoul National University – Graphene Research Institute
University of Waterloo – Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
Georgia Institute of Technology – Center for 2-Dimensional and Layered Materials
National University of Science and Technology (NUST) – National Center for Nanotechnology
Rice University – Smalley-Curl Institute
Chalmers University of Technology – Graphene Centre
Peking University – Center for Nanochemistry
Columbia University – Columbia Nano Initiative
University of Tokyo – Quantum-Phase Electronics Center
Harvard University – Harvard Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
University of Cambridge – Cambridge Graphene Centre
Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences – Graphene Research Center
Pennsylvania State University – Center for Two-Dimensional and Layered Materials
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) – Graphene Research Center
University of Vienna – Center for Physics of Materials
University of Michigan – Lurie Nanofabrication Facility
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Materials Research Laboratory
National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) – NINT Nanofab
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI)
Cornell University – Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility (CNF)
University of Manchester – Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials
Northwestern University – NUANCE Center (Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental Center)
University of Pennsylvania – Singh Center for Nanotechnology
University of California, Santa Barbara – Materials Research Laboratory
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) – Laboratory of 2D Materials
Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) – Institute of Applied Physics
University of Cambridge – Nanoscience Centre
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research – Department of Prof. Klaus Müllen
National Taiwan University – Graphene Research Center
National University of Ireland, Galway – Applied Optoelectronics Group
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) – Center for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE)
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) – UC San Diego Nanofabrication Cleanroom
University of Wollongong – ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) – Applied Physics
University of California, Riverside – NanoFabrication Cleanroom
National Research Council of Canada – National Institute for Nanotechnology
National Chiao Tung University – Center for Emerging Materials and Advanced Devices
Rice University – Laboratory for Nanophotonics
University of Texas at Dallas – Nano-Bio Interface Center
University of California, Irvine – Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility (INRF)
University of Regensburg – Center for Functional Nanostructures
University of Surrey – Advanced Technology Institute

These institutions are known for their graphene research, but many more universities and research centers worldwide also contribute significantly to the field of graphene science and technology.

Private Well Water Treatment by Activated carbons

PRIVATE WELL WATER

IN CONNECTICUT

Publication Date: May 2018

Publication #1: Granular Activated Carbon

Treatment of Private Well Water

Introduction

Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a type of water treatment commonly used to remove chemical contaminants and for taste and odor control. GAC filters come in a variety of types and sizes and can be used to treat the water at a single tap or all the water in your home. As with all treatment types, GAC units must be operated and maintained properly to ensure the water supplying your home remains safe.

GAC can be used to remove or reduce:

Unwanted tastes and odors
Radon
Organic chemicals
Pesticides and Herbicides
Chlorine
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

GAC is not considered effective to remove or reduce:

Microorganisms (i.e. bacteria, viruses) Some metals

Nitrates

How Granular Activated Carbon Treatment Works

GAC media is an effective adsorbent because it is highly porous and provides a large surface area for contaminants to adsorb onto. GAC media is made by heating a carbon source such as coal, coconut shells, wood or peat. GAC media is placed inside a filter tank. When untreated water passes through, certain contaminants are attracted to the media and become adsorbed by its surface, becoming trapped in its pores.

The effectiveness of any GAC filter unit will depend on the type of GAC media installed, the concentration and type of contaminants in the water, and the size of the GAC filter.

Types of Units

GAC filters come in both whole house (also known as point-of- entry (POE)) units and point-of-use (POU) units, which refers to the location where the treatment unit is installed.

Produced by The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Environmental Health Section, Private Well Program 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11PWP, PO Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134 Phone: 860-509-8401 Fax: 860-509-7295

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POU units treat water only at a specific tap ; usually the kitchen sink to treat the water you drink and cook with. POU units can be pour through units, faucet mount units, in-line devices, or line bypass units:

Pour-through GAC units: Untreated water is poured into the top of the pitcher, then passes through a small carbon filter. Treated water is collected at the base of the pitcher. These units are not connected to the water supply and usually sit on counter tops. Pour-through devices only treat small quantities of water at a given time, and are not recommended for removal of organic chemicals.

Faucet mount units are attached to the faucet or placed on the counter with connections to the faucet. Some of these units may be equipped with a bypass option to selectively filter water (usually for cooking and drinking) which helps to prolong the life of the carbon cartridge. Faucet-mount units are typically not recommended for removal of organic chemicals. Certain faucet mount units may be effective at reducing lead in water. Always consult with manufacturer’s specifications to determine effectiveness against specific contaminanants in your water.

The line-bypass unit is attached to the cold water plumbing beneath the kitchen sink and has a separate faucet installed that provides treated water for uses such as cooking and drinking. The regular tap delivers untreated water. This design may increase the life expectancy of the carbon by allowing a choice of either treated or untreated water.

The in-line device is installed beneath the kitchen sink on the cold water plumbing to treat water for uses such as drinking or cooking. If both hot and cold water come from a single faucet, the treated cold water can mix with the untreated hot water. Treated water is provided only when using cold water for uses such as drinking and cooking.

Whole House Treatment (POE) GAC units are typically installed where the water line enters your house and will treat all the water in your household plumbing.

Whole house treatment or POE is recommended for treatment of most volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides or chemicals. Whole house treatment also prevents the inhalation of hazardous vapors for those contaminants that can easily vaporize from water into air, such as radon and VOCs. Whole house treatment also prevents skin absorption from bathing and showering from chemicals such as VOCs, pesticides and herbicides.

Unit Effectiveness

The effectiveness of a GAC unit depends on the time of contact between the carbon and the untreated water. The longer the contact time, the better the adsorption of contaminants onto the GAC filter media. Over time, channels can form within the GAC filter media, which may allow some untreated water to pass through the filter media through these channels. Since treatment depends on the GAC media adsorbing the chemical contaminants, these channels decrease the effectiveness of the GAC filter unit.

Some types of GAC filters are better at treating for certain contaminants than others. Discuss your options with a GAC product distributor or water treatment company. Always confirm that the treatment unit you are choosing has been tested to meet manufacturer’s claims.

In order for GAC filtration to be most effective, it is important to follow manufacturer’s maintenance requirements. Filter media should be replaced over time as needed. Consult with your water treatment company installing the GAC treatment unit or the manufacturer to determine maintenance requirements.

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Backwash Wastewater Generated

Treatment backwash is sometimes necessary to lift the GAC filter media and reduce sediment from it.

This process may help eliminate any channels that may have formed in the filter media.

If you have an on-site septic system, water treatment wastewater must be discharged in accordance with criteria established in the CT Department of Public Health, 2018 On-site Disposal Regulations and Technical Standards for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems.

Contact CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection if you are connected to municipal sewer and the WPCA does not allow discharge of treatment backwash water to the sewer.

Maintenance

Water treatment equipment will not perform satisfactorily unless it is maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance, cleaning and part replacement. It is recommended that you keep a record of equipment maintenance and repairs.

GAC filter units need to have the GAC media inside changed regularly. For small point of use specialty units, the entire cartridge filter is normally replaced. POE GAC filters are often used in line with a pre-treatment filter to remove sediment and iron particles that can clog the carbon filter. If installed, pre-treatment filters will also need to be replaced periodically.

GAC filter media eventually becomes saturated and can no longer adsorb contaminants. This is called ‘breakthrough’. When this occurs, the GAC filter media can no longer remove contaminants from the water. If left for too long after this point, contaminant concentration levels in the water supplying your house could actually be higher than the untreated water entering the GAC filter. Two GAC filters may be placed in series to prevent breakthrough contaminants from reaching your home’s water supply. Changing the filter media on a regular basis will also help to prevent breakthrough from occurring.

GAC maintenance frequency will vary based on the size of the filter unit, household water usage, contaminant concentration levels, and overall water quality. Water quality testing can help determine when GAC media needs to be replaced. A water meter installed at the filter may be helpful in determining when carbon replacement is necessary. Refer to the two sections below for more information.

GAC media can sometimes provide a medium for bacterial growth, reducing the effectiveness of the filter. If bacterial growth coats your GAC media it may also enter your household plumbing system. If test results indicate bacteria is present in the water, replacement of the GAC filter media and disinfection of your well water and household plumbing may be needed. Use of GAC media infused with an antibacterial coating to help prevent bacterial growth may also be considered.

Depending on the types and concentrations of the contaminant being removed, GAC filter media may require special waste handling and disposal. Ask your water treatment company beforehand about disposal costs, disposal requirements and whether alternative treatment methods should be considered before making a decision to install a GAC treatment system.

Alternative options may include use of bottled water, installing a new well in another location that is not contaminated, or connecting to a public water system when available and feasible. Using bottled water for drinking and cooking may be an option, however, when contaminant levels are high, or, pose a risk during bathing and showering, whole house GAC treatment may be the best option. In many cases use of bottled water can serve as a viable temporary solution until a long term solution has been made.

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GAC Unit Installation and Water Testing Considerations

Always confirm with your water treatment installer that your GAC unit is installed according to manufacturer’s specifications. Retain a copy of your GAC unit manufacturer’s specifications for reference and follow any required maintenance protocols. Confirm with your water treatment installer that all State and Local requirements will be met during its installation.

After installation, test both the untreated water (raw water from the well) and treated water (water after GAC treatment) at a state certified laboratory. Compare the results of the treated and untreated water to determine if the GAC unit is properly removing contaminants. Test untreated and treated water annually or more frequently if high levels of contaminants are present in the untreated water. Frequent testing will help you determine how well your treatment system is working and whether maintenance or replacement of components may be necessary.

It is a good idea to install sample taps before (pre) and after (post) GAC filtration. Periodic testing both pre and post filter will help determine when the filter media needs to be changed and to ensure that breakthrough hasn’t occurred. Installing a water meter and recording water meter readings when new filter GAC media is added can also help determine about how many gallons the GAC filter treated before service was needed. You can then use this number to estimate approximately how many gallons the GAC filter can treat before it is no longer effective and how often you should test water quality after filtration to determine if breakthrough has occurred.

If you have two GAC filters installed in series, sample taps can be installed pre, mid and post GAC filtration. Periodic testing can be performed pre, mid and post filtration to determine when service is needed or if breakthrough has occurred. Once the mid -stream water quality sample indicates that the GAC filter media should be changed, the second GAC filter is often times swapped to the front position and a filter with new GAC media is moved to the second filter position.

Questions to Ask Before you Buy

Before purchasing a water treatment device, have your water tested at a state certified laboratory to determine the contaminants present and their concentrations. This will help you determine if GAC is an effective treatment method for the water quality parameters identified through the test results. See Publication #19: Questions to Ask When Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment, for more information.

For More Information:

Please contact the Connecticut DPH, Private Well Program at 860-509-8401.

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Usage of Petroleum coke to produce Activated Carbon – Buy Equipments

Read some articles and literatures pet coke and its usage to manufacture activated carbon .

Petroleum coke, also called pet coke or petcoke, is a solid carbon material that resembles coal; it is a product of oil refining

Would like to have the contact details of equipment manufacturers / suppliers where pet coke is used as raw material alternative to shell Charcoal , Wood Charcoal and Coal

Somasekhar Reddy Nelvoy somasekharreddyn @ googlemail

The carbonization process and equipment of activated carbon

The carbonization process is one of the important processes in the process of producing activated carbon by the gas activation method. This process is to heat the raw material in the air and reduce the non-carbon elements to produce the carbonaceous material suitable for the activation process. It is the pre-activation process，also the main preparation and foundation. In the production process of coal-based activated carbon, the carbonization process usually includes carbonization of materials and carbonization tail gas treatment.

carbonizatione quipment of activated carbon

The carbonization process is actually the dry distillation process of the material under low temperature conditions. In this process, the material is gradually heated and heated under a certain low temperature range and the condition of air isolation. The low-molecular substances in the material are first volatilized, and then the coal and coal tar pitch are decomposed and solidified. A series of materials will occur during the entire carbonization process Complex physical changes and chemical changes, of which physical changes are mainly dehydration, degassing and drying processes; chemical changes are mainly two types of reactions, thermal decomposition and thermal polycondensation.

During the thermal decomposition and thermal polycondensation reaction of the material, gas and coal tar are precipitated. The oxygen bonding group of the organic compounds in the material is destroyed, and the oxygen element is precipitated with gases such as Hz0, CO, CO: etc. At the same time, aromatic compounds and cross-linked High-strength carbon molecular structure solid; during the carbonization process, due to the discharge of non-carbon materials such as oxygen and hydrogen during the decomposition at high temperature, the carbon atoms after the loss of oxygen and hydrogen are recombined to form an order with a basic graphite microcrystalline structure The crystals consist of hexagonal carbon atom planes, and their arrangement is irregular, thus forming voids between crystallites. These voids are the initial pores of the carbonized material.

Therefore, the purpose of carbonization is to make the material form a secondary pore structure that is easily activated and to give the mechanical strength required to withstand activation. The requirement for the carbonization of materials is that the appearance of the carbonized material obtained through carbonization must meet certain specifications and shape requirements, the internal structure must have a certain initial pore structure, and at the same time have a high mechanical strength.

The carbonization process can generally be divided into the following stages.

(1) The temperature in the drying stage is below 120 ° C, and the external moisture and internal moisture are released from the raw coal. At this time, the appearance of the raw coal is unchanged.

(2) In the pyrolysis stage, the raw coal starts to decompose and release pyrolysis water to form gaseous products (such as CQ, C02, H2S, etc.). Different coal types have different pyrolysis temperatures, and coal with low metamorphism starts to heat. The solution temperature is also low. Northeast peat is about 100-1600, lignite is about 200-3000C, bituminous coal is about 300-4000C, and anthracite is about 300-450C. Because the molecular structure and generation conditions of coal are quite different, the above pyrolysis temperature is just a relative reference value between different coal types.

(3) The temperature in the carbonization stage is 300-600 degrees Celsius, mainly polycondensation and decomposition reactions, the raw coal largely precipitates volatile matter, and almost all the tar and gas products precipitated in the carbonization process are produced in this stage. Cohesive bituminous coal gradually softens and melts at this stage to form a colloidal body with three phases of gas, liquid, and solid, and then turns into semi-coke through the processes of flow, polycondensation, and solidification; non-adhesive forms needle-like semi-coke or lump Shaped half-focus.

The final temperature and rate of carbonization are the main operating conditions controlled by the carbonization process. For different coal types, the tar formation process ends at around 550 ° C. A lot of laboratory research and industrial production experience have shown that 600 ℃ is the best final carbonization temperature. If the temperature is too low, the carbonization product cannot form sufficient mechanical strength. If the temperature is too high, the graphite crystallite structure in the carbonization product will be promoted. Ordering, reducing the gap between crystallites, affecting the activation pore formation process. The carbonization heating rate has a great influence on the yield of carbonized products.

The high heating rate can make the material precipitate more tar and coal gas and reduce the yield of carbonized material. When the heating rate is reduced, the material is heated for a long time in the low temperature region, and the pyrolysis reaction has a strong selectivity. The initial pyrolysis breaks the weaker bonds in the material molecule, and parallel and sequential thermal polycondensation reactions occur, forming a The structure with high thermal stability, thereby reducing the yield of volatiles of the thermal decomposition products at high temperature stage, and obtaining a higher yield of solid carbonized products (ie carbonized materials).

The quality of carbonized materials in the carbonization process is mainly evaluated by volatile matter, coke index, water capacity and strength. The volatility of qualified carbonized materials is 7% -18%, the characteristic index of coke yesterday is 1-3, the water capacity is 15% -25%, and the strength of the ball disc is 90%.

Because the measurement of the above indicators requires a certain amount of time, and during the commissioning of the production site, it is often necessary to quickly adjust the process parameters according to the quality of the carbonized material, so the quality of the carbonized material can also be roughly evaluated through the senses. Qualified carbonized materials should have a smooth, crack-free surface, high strength, and consistent color of the material.

Carbonization process of internal heating rotary furnace

The carbonization process of activated carbon

1) Carbonaceous material flow: the shaped particles (raw material) are directly lifted into the charging chamber of the rotary kiln by the conveyor, and fall into the drum by gravity, and are brought to the board along the spiral movement in the drum. Move in the direction of the burner. The material first goes through the preheating and drying stage with a temperature of 200 ° C, and then enters the carbonization stage of 350-550 ° C. During this process, the carbon particles come into contact with the hot air stream for carbonization to discharge moisture and volatile matter, and finally exported through the export port .

(2) Gas flow: after the tail gas of the furnace is burned in the combustion chamber, a part of the tail gas returns to the furnace head, enters the drum and directly contacts with the countercurrent carbon particles for carbonization; the other part enters the waste heat boiler for heat exchange. The flue gas is discharged from the chimney. Part of the steam generated by the waste heat boiler is sent to the activation process and heat exchange station, and part of it is returned to the furnace head and mixed with the tail gas to enter the carbonization furnace.

How is activated carbons manufactured ?

Activated carbon is made of high-quality coal, wood chips, fruit shells, coconut shells and other materials, and is refined by advanced process equipment. The production process of activated carbon is roughly divided into: carbonization → cooling → activation → washing and other refined processes. The shape of the finished product of activated carbon is roughly divided into: granule, columnar, powdery, etc.

Activated carbon is a processed, porous version of carbon that has many different uses, especially adsorption and chemical reaction needs for water and gas purification. Because activated carbon particles are so porous, they have very expansive surface areas tucked into the holes and tunnels all over their surface.

These areas can be filled with other materials for other purposes as well. For instance, in water purification, silver is mixed into the carbon pores in order to filter contaminants like mercury and organic arsenic from water for domestic drinking purposes.

Because carbon is produced from charcoal through a relatively inexpensive and simple series of activation processes, it can be had in great quantities for many applications.

The Carbon Manufacturing Process – How to Make Activated Carbon

The production process of activated, or active, carbon exists in two forms. A carbonaceous source, which can exist as coal, peat, or any organic carbonaceous material is carbonized, which means the pure carbon is extracted by a heating method known as pyrolysis. Once the material is carbonized, it needs to be oxidized, or treated with oxygen, either by exposure to CO2 or steam, or by an acid-base chemical treatment.

Carbonization

Carbonization is the process of taking a carbon-rich piece of material and converting it to pure carbon through heating. This heating process, called pyrolysis, comes from an ancient technique for making charcoal. Very dense carbonaceous material is used in the beginning, because the end result needs to be extra-porous for activated carbon purposes.

Carbon-rich material is placed in a small (relative to the amount of material) furnace and cooked at extreme temperatures topping 2000 degrees Celsius. What remains is usually 20-30 percent of the beginning weight, and consists of mostly carbon and a small percentage of inorganic ash. This is very similar to “coking,” a method of producing coke from charcoal, a type of carbon-based fuel.

Once the porous form of carbon is produced, it needs to undergo oxidization so it can be adsorbent. This can occur in one of two ways: gas or chemical treatment.

all carbonaceous materials can be converted into activated carbon,materials can be converted into activated carbon, although the properties of the ﬁnal product will be different, depending on the nature of the raw material used, the nature of the activating agent, and the conditions of the carbonization and activation processes.

During the carbonization process, most of the noncarbon elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen are eliminated as volatile gaseous species by the pyrolytic decomposition of the starting material. The residual elementary carbonstarting material. The residual elementary carbon atoms group themselves into stacks of ﬂat, aromatic sheets cross-linked in a random manner. These aromatic sheets are irregularly arranged, which leaves free interstices. These interstices give rise to pores, which make activated carbons excellent adsorbents.

During carbonization these pores are ﬁlled with the tarry matter or the products of decomposition or at least blocked partially by disorganized carbon. This pore structure in carbonized char is further developed andcarbon. This pore structure in carbonized char is further developed and enhanced during the activation process, which converts the carbonized raw material into a form that contains the greatest possible number of randomly distributed pores of various sizes and shapes, giving rise to an extended and extremely high surface area of the product.

The activation of the char is usually carried out in an atmosphere of air, CO2, or steam in the temperature range of 800°C to 900°C. This results in the oxidation of some of the regions within the char in preference to others, so that as combustion proceeds, a preferential etching takes place. This results in the development of a large internal surface, which in some cases may be as high as 2500 m2/g.

Gas Treatment

The activizing of carbon can be done directly through heating in a chamber while gas is pumped in. This exposes it to oxygen for oxidization purposes. When oxidized, the active carbon is susceptible to adsorption, the process of surface bonding for chemicals—the very thing that makes activated carbon so good for filtering waste and toxic chemicals out of liquids and gases. For physical gas treatment, the carbonization pyrolysis process must take place in an inert environment at 600-900 degrees Celsius. Then, an oxygenated gas is pumped into the environment and heated between 900 and 1200 degrees Celsius, causing the oxygen to bond to the carbon’s surface.

Chemical Treatment

In chemical treatment, the process is slightly different from the gas activization of carbon. For one, carbonization and chemical activation occur simultaneously. A bath of acid, base or other chemicals is prepared and the material submerged. The bath is then heated to temperatures of 450-900 degrees Celsius, much less than the heat needed for gas activation. The carbonaceous material is carbonized and then activated, all at a much quicker pace than gas activization. However, some heating processes cause trace elements from the bath to adsorb to the carbon, which can result in impure or ineffective active carbon.

Post Treatment Activated Carbon

Following oxidization, activated carbon can be processed for many different kinds of uses, with several classifiably different properties. For instance, granular activated carbon (GAC) is a sand-like product with bigger grains than powdered activated carbon (PAC), and each are used for different applications. Other varieties include impregnated carbon, which includes different elements such as silver and iodine, and polymer-coated carbons.

How Does Activated Carbon Work?

Physical adsorption is the primary means by which activated carbon works to remove contaminants from liquid or vapor streams. Carbon’s large surface area per unit weight allows for contaminants to adhere to the activated carbon media.

The large internal surface area of carbon has several attractive forces that work to attract other molecules. These forces manifest in a similar manner as gravitational force; therefore, contaminants in water are adsorbed (or adhered) to the surface of carbon from a solution as a result of differences in adsorbate concentration in the solution and in the carbon pores.

Physical adsorption occurs because all molecules exert attractive forces, especially molecules at the surface of a solid (pore walls of carbon), and these surface molecules seek to adhere to other molecules.

The dissolved adsorbate migrates from the solution through the pore channels to reach the area where the strongest attractive forces are located. Contaminants adsorb because the attraction of the carbon surface for them is stronger than the attractive forces that keep them dissolved in solution. Those compounds that exhibit this preference to adsorb are able to do so when there is enough energy on the surface of the carbon to overcome the energy needed to adsorb the contaminant.

Contaminants that are organic, have high molecular weights, and are neutral, or non-polar, in their chemical nature are readily adsorbed on activated carbon. For water adsorbates to become physically adsorbed onto activated carbon, they must both be dissolved in water so that they are smaller than the size of the carbon pore openings and can pass through the carbon pores and accumulate.

Besides physical adsorption, chemical reactions can occur on a carbon surface. One such reaction is chlorine removal from water involving the chemical reaction of chlorine with carbon to form chloride ions.

The most important application of activated carbon

The most important application of activated carbon adsorption where large amounts of activated carbons are being consumed and where the consumption is ever increasing is the puriﬁcation of air and water. There are two types of adsorption systems for the puriﬁcation of air.

One is the puriﬁcation of air for immediate use in inhabited types of adsorption systems for the puriﬁcation of air. One is the puriﬁcation of air for immediate use in inhabited spaces, where free and clean air is a requirement. The other system prevents air pollution of the atmosphere from industrial exhaust streams.

The former operates at pollutant concentrations below 10 ppm, generally about 2 to 3 ppm. As the concentration of the pollutant is low, the adsorption ﬁlters can work for a long time and the spent carbon can be discarded, because regeneration may be expensive.

Air pollution control requires a different adsorption setup to deal with larger concentrations of the pollutants.

The saturated carbon needs to be regenerated by steam, air, or nontoxic gaseousregenerated by steam, air, or nontoxic gaseous treatments. These two applications require activated carbons with different porous structures. The carbons required for the puriﬁcation of air in inhabited spaces should be highly microporous to affect greater adsorption at lower concentrations. In the case of activated carbons for air pollution control, the pores should have higher adsorption capacity in the concentration range 10 to 500 ppm.

Marketing of activated carbon

Market The global activated carbon industry is estimated to be around 1.1 million metric ton. Demand for virgin activated carbon is expected to rise by around 10% annually through 2014, worldwide. The U.S is the largest market, which will also pace global growth based on anticipated new federal regulations mandating mercury removal at coal- fired power plants. Nearly 80% of the total active carbon is consumed forfired power plants.

Nearly 80% of the total active carbon is consumed for liquid-phase applications, and the gas-phase applications consume about 20% of the total production. Because the active carbon application for the treatment of waste water is picking up, the production of active carbons is always increasing.

The consumption of activecarbon is the highest in the U.S. and Japan, which together consume two to four times more active carbons than European and other Asian countries. The per capita consumption of active carbons per year is 0.5 kg in Japan, 0.4 kg in the U.S., 0.2 kg in Europe, and 0.03 kg in the rest of the world. This is due to the fact that Asian countries by and large have not started using active carbons for water and air pollution control purposes in large quantities.

New sulfur functional carbons – technology available

I am undertaking a project for The University of Liverpool to explore potential interest in licensing or acquiring a unique microporous sulphur functional carbon (MPSC) intended for removal of mercury (and other heavy metals) from gaseous and aqueous waste streams.

Unlike may technologies arising out of University labs I believe this technology can be readily industrially scaled and will significantly undercut the in-use costs of incumbent products.

Having undertaken a survey of the market I thought the technology would have great synergy in your business and enable you to offer your customers something unique to the industry providing both technical and economic benefits.

Essentially MPSC offers exceptionally high saturation capacity to adsorb Hg (approx. 85% loading), very fast uptake, low metal leakage from support and the ability to reduce mercury to trace levels. Clearly these features should translate into economic and operational benefits for the customer.

The Liverpool team have already demonstrated its utility in model experiments and we would be delighted to present the data to you in a non-confidential presentation over a conference call. If this is of interest, please suggest some dates for a call. The technology is covered by a couple of patent applications which have not yet published.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes
David Pears

new sulfur functional carbons – technology available

Activated Carbon Thermal Regeneration

Prized for its extremely porous surface area, the superior performance of activated carbon as an adsorbent lends itself to a number of applications spanning across a range of industries.

One of the major benefits to activated carbon is that it is capable of being restored, meaning that “spent” carbon, or carbon saturated with the adsorbed components, can be desorbed of the components to yield an activated carbon that is again ready for use.

REGENERATION

Albeit large, activated carbon does have a finite adsorption capacity. Throughout the course of its use, this capacity becomes diminished as the activated carbon adsorbs more components onto its surface. Once the activated carbon has reached capacity, it can no longer be effectively used. The now “spent” carbon can either be sent to a landfill or incinerator for disposal, or recycled through regeneration. Typically powdered activated carbon (PAC) is not regenerated, but rather, disposed of, while granular activated carbon (GAC) is regenerated.

Regeneration, often referred to as reactivation, is a method of thermally processing the activated carbon to destroy the adsorbed components contained on its surface. In regeneration, the adsorbed components are almost completely removed, yielding a regenerated carbon that can again function as an adsorbent.

It’s important to note that regeneration and reactivation actually refer to two technically different processes. However, these terms are frequently used interchangeably across many industries, and as such, are used so in this article.

BENEFITS TO REGENERATION

The use of regenerated carbon offers a host of benefits, as summarized below:

MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Utilizing regenerated carbon over new activated carbon is a more sustainable approach, incurring fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of new activated carbon.

Furthermore, this more sustainable approach may allow companies to comply with emissions permit levels, as well as state and local environmental regulations and EPA guidelines.

REDUCED COSTS & LIABILITY

Regeneration eliminates the disposal costs and liabilities associated with otherwise disposing of the spent carbon.

Costs are further reduced because the use of regenerated carbon costs less than the purchase of new activated carbon.

HOW REGENERATION WORKS

Regeneration is most commonly carried out using a thermal approach in which high temperatures are used to destroy the adsorbed components. While this process can differ based on the source material and the adsorbed components, in general, it happens in three stages.

The material is first dried. Once the material has been dried to the desired moisture content, volatilization can occur. The material is heated up to around 1000º F, which volatilizes 75 – 90% of the adsorbed materials. At this point, steam is injected into the system to remove the remaining volatiles and “reactivate” the carbon.

The result is near-completely restored activated carbon ready for reuse. During this process, it is common to have carbon losses between 5 – 10%. For this reason, each time spent carbon is regenerated, that amount of new activated carbon will need to be added to make up for the losses.

Depending on various factors, these stages may be carried out all in one piece of equipment, or multiple pieces. Upon regeneration, the activated carbon is commonly cooled in a rotary cooler before it moves on to shipping, storage, or reuse.

MULTIPLE HEARTH FURNACES VS. ROTARY KILNS FOR REGENERATED CARBON

While various types of thermal devices can be used for the regeneration of spent carbon, rotary kilns and multiple hearth furnaces are the two most commonly used approaches by far.

Both multiple hearth furnaces and rotary kilns have proven effective in the regeneration of activated carbon. In comparing the two reactivation methods, a study from the EPA found several advantages and disadvantages to be apparent.¹

COST

While maintenance and operation costs are comparable between the two systems, multiple hearth furnaces require double the capital cost of a rotary kiln.

Total process costs were slightly lower for rotary kilns as well.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

Rotary kilns consume around double the amount of fuel that multiple hearth furnaces do.

OPERATIONAL SKILL LEVEL

Rotary kilns tend to require a less skilled operator than multiple hearth furnaces.

LIFESPAN

Lifespan was found to be longer in multiple hearth furnaces.

EXHAUST HANDLING

Both systems require the use of an exhaust handling system to control emissions.

CARBON LOSS

Carbon losses between the two systems were comparable.

In addition to these factors, capacity is often a determining consideration between the two types of equipment; multiple hearth furnaces offer significantly greater capacities. However, rotary kilns are more favorable for smaller applications.

ON-SITE VS. OFF-SITE REGENERATION

Companies using activated carbon have many options when it comes to regeneration.

Often times, the same company that produces the activated carbon will offer a regeneration service as well. This allows companies to send their spent carbon back to the manufacturer for regeneration, and then get it back, ready for reuse.

Many activated carbon producers will also offer their customers a “carbon pool” or sharing option. Here, customers that do not require getting their specific carbon back can submit their spent carbon along with other companies in order to keep costs low.

In some industries, large-scale or remote operations may justify the need for their own on-site regeneration facility, such as those found in the gold recovery industry.

CONCLUSION

Activated carbon is a powerful adsorbent with many uses. The opportunity to regenerate carbon offers many benefits over purchasing fresh activated carbon.

How to Make Steam-Activated Charcoal ?

Steam-activation is primarily used for coconut charcoal and coal.

In the production of steam-activated charcoal, first the coconut shell or coal is heated to create a char. This char is then “activated” in a furnace at high temperatures of 1,700° to 1,800°F with steam in the absence of oxygen. In the steam-activation process, all volatile compounds are removed, and at the same time layer after layer of carbon atoms are pealed off, enlarging the existing internal pores, and leaving behind a carbon skeleton. The carbon + steam reaction results in producing hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide (C+H₂O=H₂ +CO). As the carbon monoxide gases off it takes carbon atoms with it. Typically 3 pounds of raw charcoal will produce 1 pound of activated charcoal. This is a perfect example of the saying “Less is More”. Less carbon atoms yields More internal space.

How to Make Steam-Activated Charcoal ?

Once the activated charcoal is cooled off, to remove the soluble ash content, it may be either “water-washed”* (which requires a lot of water) or it is “acid-washed” (to remove the acid-soluble ash content) and then repeatedly “water-washed” to remove any trace of the acid solution.
(*Not to let anything go to waste, the charcoal “vinegar” is sometimes collected and sold as commercial ascetic acid or processed into table vinegar.)

Because of the very high temperatures required for steam activation (600 – 1,200 °C), temperatures you cannot achieve in a conventional oven (260 °C), this method is all but limited to industrial technology.

Another huge limiting factor is the cost of production. The world uses a tremendous amount of Activated Charcoal annually and so production needs to be on an industrial scale that can produce millions of tons of AC at a very low price.

This is typically done in large rotating steel cylinder kilns (up to 180ft long producing up to 12.5 metric tonnes/hour) with a sophisticated delivery system of heat and steam. If money were not an issue, then individuals would need to first design an even more sophisticated miniature version. There would be the issue of washing/rinsing, the disposal of waste ash from the pyrolysis, managing the exhaust gasses, and other challenges. The net product would far exceed the cost of the mass-produced product, and quality would likely also be an issue, since cooking temperatures and times are quite critical. Aside form the fascination of building one’s own, it seems the cost would be prohibitive to make steam-activated charcoal “at home”.

So, how can you make steam activated charcoal? It should be obvious that, for small personal quantities, you are not set up for the technical challenges or the financial outlay. Well then, how can you make chemically activated charcoal? Is it less expensive and easier?

Some Raw materials of Activated Carbons

A carbonaceous substance can be used as the raw material for activated carbon.

Materials for activated carbon in use worldwide are as follows:

Powdered activated carbon	Sawdust Hard wood chips wood charcoal (carbon from sawdust) Grass ash (peat) etc…
Granulated activated carbon	Charcoal Coconut shell charcoal Coal (lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, anthracite coal, etc.) Oil carbon Phenolic resin etc…
Fibrous activated carbon	Rayon Acrylonitril Coal tar pitch Petroleum pitch Phenolic resin, etc. etc…

Powdered activated carbon

Sawdust
Hard wood chips
wood charcoal (carbon from sawdust)
Grass ash (peat)

etc…

Granulated activated carbon

Charcoal
Coconut shell charcoal
Coal (lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, anthracite coal, etc.)
Oil carbon
Phenolic resin

etc…

Fibrous activated carbon

Rayon
Acrylonitril
Coal tar pitch
Petroleum pitch
Phenolic resin, etc.

etc…

Coconut shell

Powdered activated carbon Raw Materials

Activated Carbon Manufacture: Steam Activation

The use of steam for activation can be applied to virtually all raw materials. Steam activation is the most widely used process to activate carbonaceous materials. Steam activated carbons are produced in a two-stage process.

First, the raw material in the form of lumps, pre-sized material, briquettes or extrudates is carbonized by heating in an low oxygen atmosphere so that dehydration and devolatilization of the raw material occurs. Carbonization reduces the volatile content of the source material to under 20%. A coke or charcoal (depending on the raw material) is produced which has pores that are either small or too restricted to be used as an adsorbent.

A variety of methods have been developed but all of these share the same basic principle of initial carbonization at 500-600 degrees C，followed by activation with steam at 800-1,100 degrees C.

Since the overall reaction (converting carbon to carbon dioxide) is exothermic it is possible to utilize this energy and have a self-sustaining process：

C + H2O (steam) —> CO + H2 (-31 Kcal)
CO + ½ O2 —> CO2 (+67 Kcal)
H2 + ½ O2 —> H2O (steam) (+58 Kcal)
C + O2 —> CO2 (+94 Kcal)

A number of different types of kilns and furnaces can be used for carbonization/activation and include rotary (fired directly or indirectly), vertical multi-hearth furnaces, fluidized bed reactors and vertical single throat retorts. Each manufacturer has their own preference.

As an example, production of activated carbon using a vertical retort is described below.

Raw material is introduced through a hopper on top of the retort and falls under gravity through a central duct towards the activation zone. As the raw material moves slowly down the retort the temperature increases to 800-1000 degrees C and full carbonization takes place.

The second stage, which can take place later in the same kiln, is activation which enlarges the pore structure, increases the internal surface area and makes it more accessible. The carbonized product is activated with steam at very high temperatures. The chemical reaction between the carbon and steam takes place at the internal surface of the carbon, removing carbon from the pore walls and thereby enlarging the pores.

The activation zone, at the bottom of the retort, covers only a small part of the total area available and it is here that steam activation takes place. Air is bled into the furnace to convert the product gases, CO and H2 into CO2 and steam which, because of the exothermic nature of this reaction, reheats the firebricks on the downside of the retort, enabling the process to be self-supporting.

Every 15 minutes or so, the steam injection point is alternated to utilize the “in situ” heating provided by the product gas combustion. The degree of activation (or quality) of the product is determined by the residence time in the activation zone.

Activated Carbon Manufacturing: Chemical Activation

Chemical activation is generally used for the production of activated carbon from sawdust, wood or peat. The process involves mixing an organic chemical compound with the carbonaceous raw material, usually wood, and carbonizing the resultant mixture. The raw material and reagent are mixed into a paste, dried and carbonized in a rotary furnace at 600 degrees C. When phosphoric acid is the activating agent the carbonized product is further heated at 800- 1000 degrees C during which stage the carbon is oxidized by the acid. The acid is largely recovered after the activation stage and converted back to the correct strength for reuse.

Chemical activation

The raw material is mixed with an activating agent, usually phosphoric acid, to swell the wood and open up the cellulose structure. The paste of raw material and phosphoric acid is dried and then carbonized, usually in a rotary kiln, at a relatively low temperature of 400 to 500 degree Celsius. On carbonization, the chemical acts as a support and does not allow the charcoal produced to shrink. It dehydrates the raw material, resulting in the charring and amortization of the carbon, thereby creating a porous structure and an extended surface area.

Chemical Activation is generally used for the production of activate carbon from sawdust, wood or peat. Chemical activation involves mixing the raw material with an activating agent, usually phosphoric acid, to swell the wood and open up the cellulose structure. The paste of raw material and phosphoric acid is dried and then carbonized, usually in a rotary kiln, at a relatively low temperature of 400C to 500C. On carbonization, the chemical acts as a support and does not allow the char produced to shrink. It dehydrates the raw material resulting in the charring and amortization of the carbon, creating a porous structure and an extended surface area.

Activated carbons produced by this method have a suitable pore distribution to be used as an adsorbent without further treatment. The process used means that the activated carbons are acid washed carbons although they have a lower purity than specifically acid washed steam activated carbons. This chemical activation process normally yields a powdered activated carbon. If granular material is required, granular raw materials are impregnated with the activating agent and the same method is used. Granular activated carbons (GACs) produced have a low mechanical strength, and are not suitable for many gas phase uses. In some cases, chemically activated carbons are given a second activation with steam to impart additional physical properties.

Activity can be controlled by altering the proportion of raw material to activating agent, between the limits of 1:05 to 1:4. By increasing the concentration of the activating agent, the activity increases although control of furnace temperature and residence time can achieve the same objective.

Activity is controlled by altering the proportions of raw material to reagent used. For phosphoric acid the ratio is usually between 1:0.5 and 1:4; activity increases with higher reagent concentration and is also affected by the temperature and residence time in the kiln.

Activated carbons produced by this method have a suitable pore distribution to be used as an adsorbent without further treatment. This is because the process used involves an “acid wash” which is used a purifying step in steam activated carbons, post activation. Chemically activated carbons, however, have a lower purity than specifically acid-washed steam activated carbons as they contain small amount of residual phosphate.

This chemical activation process mostly yields a powdered activated carbon. If granular material is required, granular raw materials are impregnated with the activating agent and the same method is used. The granular activated carbons produced have a low mechanical strength, however, and are not suitable for many gas phase uses. In some cases, chemically activated carbon is given a second activation with steam to impart additional physical properties.

Raw Materials of Activated Carbon

A carbonaceous substance can be used as the raw material for activated carbon.
Kuraray Chemical selects materials considering the difficulty in obtaining the material, amount of material required, price, reactivity with gas or chemicals, and appropriateness of quality for the products.

Materials for activated carbon in use worldwide are as follows:

Powdered activated carbon	Sawdust Hard wood chips wood charcoal (carbon from sawdust) Grass ash (peat) etc…
Granulated activated carbon	Charcoal Coconut shell charcoal Coal (lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, anthracite coal, etc.) Oil carbon Phenolic resin etc…
Fibrous activated carbon	Rayon Acrylonitril Coal tar pitch Petroleum pitch Phenolic resin, etc. etc…

Powdered activated carbon

Sawdust
Hard wood chips
wood charcoal (carbon from sawdust)
Grass ash (peat)

etc…

Granulated activated carbon

Charcoal
Coconut shell charcoal
Coal (lignite, brown coal, bituminous coal, anthracite coal, etc.)
Oil carbon
Phenolic resin

etc…

Fibrous activated carbon

Rayon
Acrylonitril
Coal tar pitch
Petroleum pitch
Phenolic resin, etc.

etc…

Coconut shell

In addition to the more common raw materials discussed earlier, others can include waste tires, phenol formaldehyde resin, rice husks, pulp mill residues, corn cobs, coffee beans and bones.

Most of the developed nations have facilities to activate coconut shell, wood and coal. Third world countries have recently entered the industry and concentrate on readily available local raw materials such as wood and coconut shell. Coconut shell contains about 75% volatile matter that is removed, largely at source by partial carbonization, to minimize shipping costs. When producing coconut shell activated carbon from coconuts, only the shell (see fig.) is used and 50000 coconuts are needed to produce 1 ton of activated carbon.

The cellulosic structure of the shell determines the end product characteristics, which (at 30-40% yield on the carbonized basis) is a material of very high internal surface area consisting of pores and capillaries of fine molecular dimensions.

The ash content is normally low and composed mainly of alkalis and silica. Coal is also a readily available and reasonably cheap raw material. The activate obtained depends on the type of coal used and its initial processing prior to carbonization and activation.

It is normal procedure to grind the coal and reconstitute it into a form suitable for processing, by use of a binder such as pitch, before activation. (This is typical for extruded or pelletized carbon). An alternative method is to grind the coal and utilize its volatile content to fuse the powder together in the form of a briquette.

This method allows for blending of selected materials to control the swelling power of the coals and prevents coking. If the coal is allowed to “coke” it leads to the production of an activate with an unacceptably high proportion of large pores.

Blending of coals also allows a greater degree of control over the structure and properties of the final product. Wood may be activated by one of two methods, i.e. steam or chemical activation, depending on the desired product. A common chemical activator is phosphoric acid, which produces a char with a large surface area suitable for decolorization applications.

The carbon is usually supplied as a finely divided powder which since produced from waste materials such as sawdust, is relatively cheap and can be used on a “throw-away” basis. Since activated carbon is manufactured from naturally occurring raw materials, its properties will obviously be variable. In order to minimize variability it is necessary to be very selective in raw material source and quality and practice a high level of manufacturing quality control.