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Activated Carbon or charcoal is a form of carbon processed through the exposure of oxygen in order to open up the millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms. These low-volume pores result in increase in the surface area of charcoal making it highly porous in nature. Activated carbon or charcoal is widely used for absorbing odorous or colored substances from gases & liquids. Absorption can be considered as the most striking feature of the activated carbon or charcoal. The expansion of surface area of charcoal gives it countless trapping sites. When any chemical touches the carbon surface or passes through it, the charcoal attaches itself to it that ends up in chemical reaction. Due to this trait, activated charcoal is best utilized for carbon-based impurities and chemicals like chlorine. However, some substances as that Sodium & potassium pass through it conveniently. This means activated charcoal can filter some while ignore other impurities.

How to make charcoal under your roof?

Steam-activated Charcoal: The process is known as producing higher quality of activated charcoal or carbon but due to high temperature it requires, the process is more industrial rather. Have you ever linked to coconut shell in production of charcoal? I guess you have never. Coconut shells can be utilized for the production of charcoal. How? Let’s find out.

In this process, any carboneous material such as wood, coal or even coconut shells, are placed in a furnace with a temperature of 1,700° to 1,800°F without oxygen, to create a char. The carbon and steam reaction opens up carbon atoms layer by layer and results in enlargement of internal pores, leaving carbon skeleton as residue. A decrease in number of carbon atoms leads to expansion of surface area. As process gets completed, 3 pounds of source material generally yields 1 pound of activated carbon.

You can also use orange peels, banana peels and nut shells also for the same process as they have been tested with the similar results.

Chemical-activation process: This is the most favored method of production as it takes short duration of time and low temperature to yield activated carbon. In this process, the source material is infused with certain chemicals, preferably an acid, a base or a salt such as potassium hydroxide, calcium chloride or phosphoric acid. The ‘activation’ process which takes place at a temperature of 450° – 900° C, increase the surface area up to 600 – 1,200 sq. ft. per gram, depending on the source material.

Activated carbon or charcoal is the most useful substance available with us. It is used in gas purification, metal extraction, gold purification, sewage treatment, medicines, air filters and respirators. Its ability to soak the impurities has largely stood out in its favor and continues to remain the most adopted form of carbon.