Granular Activated Carbon and Powdered Activated Carbon
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) are two types of activated carbon which are common in industrial applications and water treatment. Activated carbon, which is carbon that has been treated with oxygen to open up millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms, is popular for both its adsorption and filtration properties.
GAC is a type of activated carbon which is granular in nature, i.e. it consists of particles which range from 0.1-2.0 mm in diameter and have a large surface area due to their granular structure. The specific surface area of GAC can be measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and can range from 1000-3000 m2/g. GAC is commonly used in water treatment applications due to its high adsorptive capacity and the fact that it can be easily regenerated.
PAC, on the other hand, is powdered activated carbon which is usually created from the grinding of coal or coconut shell. The average particle size of PAC is usually smaller than GAC, usually ranging from 0.015-1.0 mm. This smaller particle size means that the total surface area of PAC is usually greater than GAC (3000-5000 m2/g), making it more effective for adsorption applications. However, due to its fine particle size, PAC is usually more difficult to filter and is not as effective at filtration applications as GAC.
Overall, both GAC and PAC have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. In general, GAC is best suited for filtration purposes, while PAC is better for adsorption applications. In particular, PAC has been used in applications such as water treatment and air filtration, while GAC has been used in applications such as gas purification and wastewater treatment.
The choice of a particular activated carbon also depends on the quality and availability of the raw material. For instance, GAC made from coal is usually more expensive than GAC made from coconut shell, and PAC made from coconut shell is usually more expensive than PAC made from coal. Additionally, GAC and PAC made from different raw materials can have different particle sizes and surface areas, so it is important to choose the appropriate product for the desired application.
In conclusion, GAC and PAC are two types of activated carbon which have different properties and applications. GAC is best suited for filtration applications, while PAC is better for adsorption applications. However, the choice of a particular activated carbon also depends on the quality and availability of the raw material, as well as the desired particle size and surface area.
