How to make activated carbon

Activated carbon is a type of carbon that has an increased adsorption surface area. It is also referred to as activated carbon, activated carbon or sometimes as activated carbon. In order to produce activated carbon, the carbon source is treated under certain conditions to increase its surface area and/or the number of pores. On average, the estimated surface area of one gram of activated carbon is about 500 square meters.

The adsorption properties of activated carbon have a variety of uses. When a compound is brought close to this charcoal, the latter adsorbs the substance by chemical attraction. It is considered to be the most effective antidote to date. When administered early, activated charcoal can adsorb approximately 60% to 70% of ingested poisons. Due to its many advantages and multiple applications, it is produced on a large scale. Commercially, it is available in dry powder, liquid and tablet forms.

Activated carbon can be manufactured at home through a chemical activation process. Production requires coconut shells, calcium chloride or zinc chloride solutions, combustion baths, ovens and mixers.

Raw materials that can be used

Activated charcoal can be made from a variety of carbon-rich materials such as wood, coal, bone, coconut shells, nut shells, peat and agricultural residues. The pore properties and adsorption capacity of activated carbon depend on the type of raw material used for its production. It also depends on the method used for its activation. Black bone charcoal is the one with the lowest adsorption capacity, while gray-brown bone charcoal is the best. White carbon exhibits a low capacity for fluoride removal. The surface area of these bone carbons is usually lower than that of activated carbon. However, they have high adsorption of certain metals such as copper, zinc and cadmium.

Activated carbon produced from nut shells and coconut shells has the best adsorption capacity and the largest surface area. Even if you use hardwood, the procedure is the same, but using coconut shells produces a high quality activated carbon.

▴ Coconut shells (without meat)

▴ Burn sinks, drums or slender iron containers to burn the shells.

▴ Ovens

▴ A 25% concentrated solution of calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) or zinc chloride (ZnCl 2 ) is available at brewing supply stores or pharmacies. To make this solution, dissolve 250 g of CaCl 2 in 1000 ml of water and increase the proportions in the same ratio as you require.

▴ Blender

▴ Sterile water

▴ Drain pan

▴Zipper bag

▴ Plastic bucket