+86-15093398255
Activated carbon filters can be classified according to their appearance, structure, function and operation mode,Below we describe these categories in detail:
1. Classification by Appearance, Structure, and Application (Most Common)
Fixed-Bed Adsorption Tower/Tank: Description: This is the most common form used in industry, consisting of a tank (carbon steel, stainless steel, or fiberglass) filled with granular activated carbon. Applications: Large-scale water treatment systems, VOC recovery in industrial waste gas, and chemical filters.
Integrated Cartridge Filter: Description: Activated carbon is prefabricated into standard filter elements in the form of powdered sintered rods, granular-filled filter elements, or carbon fiber felt. Applications: Home/commercial water purifiers, air purifiers, small-scale laboratory water treatment, and ventilation systems.
Honeycomb Adsorption Body: Description: Activated carbon powder is mixed with a binder and formed into a honeycomb-shaped block. Applications: High-volume, low-concentration waste gas treatment (such as factory exhaust and vehicle exhaust).
2. Classification by Function
Gas-Phase Adsorption Filters: Primarily used for gas processing. Features: Often designed for high airflow and low resistance, focusing on adsorption efficiency for specific gas molecules (such as VOCs and acid gases).
Liquid-Phase Adsorption Filters: Primarily used for liquid processing. Features: Focus on adsorption capacity for impurities in liquids (such as organic matter, residual chlorine, and pigments), and consider resistance to water washout and powder loss.
3. Classification by Operation Mode
Intermittent Operation: Description: After adsorption reaches saturation, the system shuts down for activated carbon replacement or regeneration. Most small and medium-sized water treatment and air purification systems fall into this category.
Continuous Operation: Description: The system continuously adds and removes activated carbon, or utilizes a fluidized bed design to ensure continuous treatment. Applications: Water treatment in large power plants and certain specific chemical processes.
2. Type of Activated Carbon
Used Different filters use different types and forms of activated carbon depending on their application and design:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) has a particle size of 0.5-4mm, a large surface area, high adsorption capacity, long service life, and easy regeneration. It is used in fixed-bed adsorption towers, large-scale water treatment systems, and VOC recovery equipment.
Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) has a particle size <0.18mm, maximizes surface area, and offers rapid adsorption rates. However, it is prone to loss and difficult to recover. It is used for emergency dosing (such as temporary chemical additions in water treatment) and in the form of sintered carbon rods.
Honeycomb Activated Carbon (Honeycomb) has minimal air resistance and is suitable for treating high-volume exhaust gases. However, its adsorption capacity is generally lower than that of GAC. Honeycomb carbon adsorbents are used in central air conditioning and factory exhaust.
Carbon Fiber (CFAC) has a fibrous shape with micropores directly on the surface, resulting in extremely fast adsorption/desorption rates. Carbon fiber felt/cloth is used in solvent recovery and specialty air purification.
Sintered Block Activated Carbon (Sintered Block) is made by sintering PAC and a binder at high temperatures, offering high filtration accuracy and the ability to intercept particulate matter. Integrated cartridge filter for home water purifiers.
