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Activated carbon which we all see is actually the processed form of wood and other materials which are exposed to high temperatures in the absence of air. They then are treated and activated as they are reheated with certain chemicals and oxidizing gases to turn them into a very fine powder which has thus an enhanced ability to absorb an array of substances. This carbonaceous material is quite reliable in those medical emergencies when your doctor is not a call away.

The quality of your water can quite be improved when activated carbon is used with UV radiation and boiling techniques. It is an excellent aid if you want to improve air quality since this material is able to absorb odors too though it depends on what the size of your carbon particle is.

You can create activated carbon which is also known by the name of activated charcoal from food waste.  Pore over this most convenient carbon-making method:

Get Raw & Resourceful!

This is the foremost step in getting your carbon prepared by yourself. You obviously want a quality carbon of the lines of commercial one. Coconut husk or hardwood is what generally used to create this type of carbon. In your case, you can also try nut shells, rye husks, banana peels and orange peels which produce the similar results. You can explore your individual option with respect to food waste. However, you’ll require to dry it in advance if you go for anything that has high in water content.  You’ll need food waste, an oven, a strong acid, salt or base, a fireplace pit or grill and a metal container with a lid.

Give Charring Effect!

Take the metal container and put food waste into it and seal or close it loosely. To ensure that container doesn’t turn into pressure bomb and oxygen exposure remains limited so that unwanted chemical reactions kept at bay, you can also think of drilling a tiny vent hole. After that, have a burning fire; it can be established cooking fire or the center of a campfire; place your container on it within a very hot location with 400+ degrees Fahrenheit. It is now that the charring and pyrolysis starts.  Gas and stems from the vent holes is only an indication in the increase of strength of the fire. The estimated time is 4 hours. Let it cool after removing prior to checking the insides. You can then crush the carbon into a powder by using a hammer or your hand.

Treat Carbon Chemically!

Now is the time to use base or strong salt or acid to make pore size of the charcoal bigger.  For this you can use either calcium chloride or lemon juice or bleach to make a 25% solution. Rinse out the carbon and dry it fully (if you have time) to take away the ash content within it.  Next, submerge the carbon in the container with enough solution. Cover it then and rest it for 1 day.

Cook it up!

Get an integrated and refined product after chemical exposure which you can by applying heat to the activated carbon. However, before it, rinse out the solution and thereafter, drain the carbon. Get a wet carbon not a saturated one. Put in back in the container. You can use an oven, gas or some other electric heating appliance to cook it. To get a dried and finished product (carbon), expose the carbon to 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 3 hours.

Want to Use? Go Ahead!

If your carbon is made of food-grade materials, it can be ingested for neutralization of toxins consumed by you accidentally.  For others, you can use it to improve the quality of water and air.