Activated carbon is a powerful adsorbent tailored for treating a wide range of contaminants. Through the impregnation process, activated carbon can be “upgraded” and customized for specific needs by introducing chemicals or metal particles into its pores. This process chemically modifies the carbon, enhancing its adsorption capacity and enabling more efficient treatment of pollutants that are challenging to remove by other means.
Impregnated carbon not only improves adsorption efficiency but also extends its operational lifespan when treating certain contaminants, making it a cost-effective choice for industrial applications and advanced systems for water and gas stream treatment.
Impregnation with basic compounds enhances the adsorption of acidic contaminants.
Common basic compounds:
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH); Potassium hydroxide (KOH); Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
Applications:
KOH-impregnated carbon is highly effective for removing H₂S and SO₂ from gas streams, with efficiency 5–10 times higher than regular carbon.
Impregnation with acidic compounds improves the surface properties of the carbon, increasing its ability to adsorb basic substances such as ammonia and amines.
Common compounds:
Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄); Nitric acid (HNO₃); Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Carbon impregnated with sulfur is suitable for adsorbing highly toxic contaminants, including mercury, dioxins, and furans.
Applications:
Treatment of industrial emissions containing high concentrations of toxic substances.
Impregnation with oxidizing agents enhances the carbon’s ability to remove small molecular toxins.
Common compounds:
Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂); Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄); Sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈)
Applications:
Particularly suitable for removing cyanogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide from gas streams.
Introducing metals such as copper, silver, and chromium imparts advanced properties to the carbon for adsorbing toxins and harmful substances.
Common compounds:
Copper ions (Cu); Silver (Ag); Chromium (Cr)
Applications:
Impregnation with organic compounds customizes the carbon for applications requiring hydrophilic or oleophilic properties.
Common compounds:
Acetone (C₃H₆O); Methanol (CH₃OH); Ethanol (C₂H₆O)
Applications:
Designed for specialized applications in the chemical industry.
Impregnated activated carbon is an advanced and efficient solution for applications requiring specific responses to complex contaminants. The impregnation process enhances the carbon’s properties, extends its operational lifespan, and enables effective performance under diverse conditions.
Colligo-Tech provides expert guidance in selecting the most suitable type of carbon for your requirements, ensuring compliance with the most stringent regulatory standards.
