Acid washing of activated carbon

As a high-quality adsorption material, activated carbon is widely used in water treatment, air purification, food processing, medicine and other fields. In order to improve the adsorption performance and service life of activated carbon, it is usually necessary to acid wash it.

1. Impurity Removal

During the activated carbon production process, inorganic impurities and ash, such as metal oxides and sulfides, may be introduced. These impurities not only affect the activated carbon's adsorption properties but may also release harmful substances during use, contaminating the treated material. Acid washing effectively removes these inorganic impurities, improving the activated carbon's purity and adsorption capacity.

2. Increased Surface Area

Acid washing removes impurities from the surface and pores of activated carbon, increasing its surface area and porosity. This helps improve the activated carbon's adsorption capacity, enabling it to more efficiently adsorb pollutants when treating media such as water and air.

3. Improving Surface Chemical Properties

The chemical properties of activated carbon's surface have a significant impact on its adsorption performance. Acid washing can alter the functional group composition of activated carbon's surface, increasing the number of oxygen-containing functional groups (such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups), thereby enhancing its adsorption capacity for certain pollutants. Furthermore, acid washing can reduce the alkalinity of the activated carbon surface, improving its stability in acidic conditions.

4. Adjusting the pH of activated carbon

The pH of activated carbon also significantly affects its adsorption performance. Untreated activated carbon may contain alkaline substances, which can affect its adsorption performance, especially when used in acidic media. Acid washing can remove these alkaline substances and adjust the pH of the activated carbon, making it more suitable for different applications. For example, in water treatment, acid-washed activated carbon achieves a more neutral pH, which helps improve its adsorption efficiency and treatment effectiveness.

5. Extended Service Life

Acid washing reduces clogging and degradation of activated carbon caused by impurities during use, thereby extending its service life. Furthermore, activated carbon that has undergone both acid and water washing is less susceptible to secondary contamination during use, ensuring the stability and durability of the treatment effect.

· Fujian Guangyuan Carbon Products Co.,Ltd.