Activated Carbon Production:

Activated carbon is carbon produced from carbonaceous source materials such as nutshells, coconut husk, peat, wood, coir, lignite, coal, and petroleum pitch. It can be produced by one of the following processes:

Physical reactivation: The source material is developed into activated carbons using hot gases. This is generally done by using one or a combination of the following processes: Carbonization: Material with carbon content is pyrolyzed at temperatures in the range 600–900 °C, in absence of oxygen (usually in inert atmosphere with gases like argon or nitrogen)Activation/Oxidation: Raw material or carbonized material is exposed to oxidizing atmospheres (oxygen or steam) at temperatures above 250 °C, usually in the temperature range of 600–1200 °C.Chemical activation: Prior to carbonization, the raw material is impregnated with certain chemicals. The chemical is typically an acid, strong base, or a salt [2] (phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, calcium chloride, and zinc chloride 25%). Then, the raw material is carbonized at lower temperatures (450–900 °C). It is believed that the carbonization / activation step proceeds simultaneously with the chemical activation. Chemical activation is preferred over physical activation owing to the lower temperatures and shorter time needed for activating material.

Activated Carbon Specification:

Item	Unit	Standard---1	Standard--- 2	Standard--- 3
Iodine value	Mg/g	≥1000	≥800	≥500
Methyl blue	Mg/g	≥220	≥180	≥160
Hardness	%	≥90	≥90	≥90
Moisture	%	≤5.3	≤6.5	≤7
Specific surface area	m²/g	≥1200	≥1000	≥900
Ash content	%	≤3.5	≤3.7	≤4
PH	----	6-8	6-8	6-8
Apparent density	g/cm³	≤0.35	≤0.35	≤0.35
Size: 1-2mm 2-4mm 100mesh 200mesh 300mesh columnar

Activated Carbon Applications:

Activated carbon is used in gas purification, decaffeination, gold purification, metal extraction, water purification, medicine, sewage treatment, air filters in gas masks and respirators, filters in compressed air and many other applications.

Analytical chemistry applications .Environmental applications:Carbon adsorption has numerous applications in removing pollutants from air or water streams both in the field and in industrial processes such as: Spill cleanup, Groundwater remediation,Drinking water filtration, Air purification , Volatile organic compounds capture from painting, dry cleaning, gasoline dispensing operations, and other processes.Medical applicationsFuel storageGas purificationChemical purificationDistilled alcoholic beverage purificationMercury scrubbingDisposal in the USA after absorbing mercury

Activated Carbon Classification:

Activated carbons are complex products which are difficult to classify on the basis of their behaviour, surface characteristics and preparation methods. However, some broad classification is made for general purpose based on their physical characteristics.

Powdered activated carbon (PAC)Granular activated carbon (GAC)Extruded activated carbon (EAC)Bead activated carbon (BAC)Impregnated carbonPolymer coated carbon

Other:Activated carbon is also available in special forms such as cloths and fibres. The "carbon cloth" for instance is used in personnel protection for the military.