Here at Puragen, our extensive expertise, passion and experience means that we understand more than most the importance and benefits of activated carbon. An extraordinary purification medium, activated carbon is integral to both environmental protection and various industrial applications. Its unique adsorption capabilities and adaptability make it a critical component in maintaining water quality across a multitude of sectors.
How Does Activated Carbon Filter Water?
Produced from carbon-rich materials such as wood, coconut shells and coal, activated carbon has an extremely porous structure. This structure results in a high surface area, sometimes in excess of 1,000 m2/g that enables activated carbon to capture a broad range of contaminants by adsorption. Adsorption, the process of accumulating molecules of a liquid or gas on a surface, is a fundamental water purification process.
How is Activated Carbon Effective for Filtering Water?
Removal of Taste and Odour Compounds
Activated carbon is extensively used to eliminate taste and odour compounds from drinking water. Compounds such as Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), which can impart unpleasant tastes and odours, are effectively adsorbed by activated carbon. This ensures that the water is palatable and safe for consumption, meeting the high standards expected in municipal water treatment facilities.
Elimination of Trace Contaminants and Micropollutants
Trace contaminants, including pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pose significant challenges to water quality. Activated carbon is highly effective in removing these micropollutants due to its vast surface area and porous structure. For instance, contaminants like paracetamol, ibuprofen and the slug-repellent metaldehyde, which are notoriously difficult to remove, are efficiently adsorbed by specialised activated carbon products from the FiltraCarb® range.
Removal of PFAS-Group (Forever Chemicals)
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of persistent chemicals that are resistant to degradation and pose severe health risks. Activated carbon, particularly the FiltraCarb® CH range, is utilised for the abatement of these ‘forever chemicals’. The porous nature of activated carbon allows it to capture PFAS molecules, preventing them from contaminating water supplies and ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards.
Advanced Reactivation and Sustainability
Puragen employs a state-of-the-art thermal reactivation process to recycle spent granular activated carbon (GAC). Our award-winning REACT-Sys® process minimises waste and promotes the circular use of resources. Furthermore, our facility has dedicated lines to handle spent carbons from drinking water treatment works (‘green list’) and industrial/environmental applications (‘amber list’), ensuring that reactivation processes meet specific regulatory and environmental requirements. Having separate lines prevents any cross-contamination – a vital requirement for our drinking water customers.
Our Activated Carbon Solutions for Water Filtration
AquaSorber® Mobile Carbon Filters
To address various water treatment needs, we here at Puragen offer our AquaSorber® range of mobile carbon filters. These ‘plug & play’ solutions provide a convenient, efficient and modular method for water purification across multiple applications, including soil and groundwater remediation, industrial wastewater treatment and municipal water systems. AquaSorber® filters are pre-filled with high-quality FiltraCarb® activated carbon and are designed for easy integration into existing water treatment systems, eliminating the need for extensive capital expenditure on fixed installations.
Commitment to Innovation and R&D
Puragen is committed to advancing activated carbon technology through continuous research and development. Our active R&D programme, supported by a dedicated laboratory team, focuses on developing new carbon materials and improving existing products to meet evolving purification challenges. This commitment to innovation ensures that we remain at the forefront of the industry, providing cutting-edge solutions for water treatment and beyond.
Trust Puragen for Effective Activated Carbon Water Filtration
Activated carbon’s advanced adsorption properties make it an indispensable tool in water purification, capable of removing a wide array of contaminants, including taste and odour compounds, trace contaminants and PFAS-group chemicals.
Puragen enhances this efficacy through innovative products like our AquaSorber® mobile filters and sustainable reactivation processes, supported by robust research and development efforts. These combined capabilities ensure that activated carbon remains a vital component in safeguarding water quality and promoting environmental sustainability.
