Why is Activated Carbon Important for Wine and Spirit Purification?
Producing wine and distilled liquors from natural ingredients is frequently associated with the formation of undesirable contaminants. This may affect the colour, odour and taste of the product, in addition to potentially reducing their shelf-life. Therefore, many finishing processes incorporate a purification or decolourisation step involving the use of specialised activated carbons. These will be […]
The Role of Activated Carbon in Reducing Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water
Disinfection By-Products and Natural Organic Matter Natural organic matter is present in all sources of fresh water and comes from the breakdown of organic matter, such as algae and vegetation. During the disinfection step in drinking water treatment, this organic matter may react with chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide or other disinfectants, to form undesirable toxic […]
Removing Taste, Odour, and Natural Organic Matter from Drinking Water
Natural Organic Matter Natural Organic Matter (NOM), also known as Background Organic Matter (BOM) is the organic matter present in all sources of fresh water. Most natural organic matter comes from the decay or breakdown of vegetation, animal life, bacteria and algae that enter streams, rivers, lakes, and aquifers. NOMs are made up of many […]
Urban Wastewater Treatment with Activated Carbon
Municipal Waste Contamination Domestically produced wastewater discharged to sewage treatment works includes contaminants such as soaps, cleaning fluids, pharmaceuticals, medical drugs and personal care products. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), in particular, are considered difficult to remove from wastewater as older or less sophisticated treatment systems are far less effective at removing them. These cover a […]
Removing Pesticides and POPs from Drinking Water
Pesticides and Persistent Organic Pollutants The issue of pesticides in surface or groundwaters is of worldwide concern. Pesticides are substances that are used to control pests, and the term includes insecticides, herbicides, biocides, and fungicides. These substances can accumulate in aquatic organisms and sediment, posing a risk to our health and the environment. With their […]
Why is Activated Carbon Important for Beverage and Fruit Juice Products?
The production of fruit juices, beer and other beverages can often be associated with the occurrence of undesirable contaminants which may affect their purity, colour, and taste. Therefore, many beverage production processes incorporate a purification or decolourisation step typically involving the use of activated carbon. These purification steps are designed to remove any unwanted byproducts, […]
Industrial Wastewater Treatment with Activated Carbon
Contamination of Wastewater Water discharged from various industrial processes during manufacturing, cleaning and other commercial operations may contain dissolved substances. These include chemicals, oils, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, synthetic organic chemicals, and other industrial by-products that are toxic. They can then have hazardous effects on human and aquatic life because of possible bioaccumulation in the food chain. […]
What are Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances – PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of chemicals that contain carbon, fluorine and other elements. Historically, these may have been referred to under the term ‘PFC’ which stood for Per Fluorinated Chemicals. However, PFC is also used to mean ‘Per Fluorinated Carbons’ ie greenhouse gases and so this term is no longer used for PFAS compounds.
How Does Activated Carbon Work?
In our other article, we introduced activated carbon; its structure, what it is made from, the main forms and how it is produced. In this article, we explain how activated carbon works. Carbon Adsorption? Note that there is an important and distinct difference between ADsorption and ABsorption: Adsorption is caused by London Dispersion Forces, which […]
What is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon, sometimes known as activated charcoal, has been commercially used as a purification media since the early 19th century. Today, activated carbon comes in various forms and is used in many drinking water, industrial air and water treatment, businesses, and homes to remove contaminants. Activated Carbon is a highly porous material that removes organic […]