What is Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is one of the most common adsorption media used on filters to control indoor air quality and reduce pollutants. The popularity of activated carbon is due to its inherent ability to adsorb most organic chemicals due to the large surface area created by the increased activation on the carbon/charcoal surface. When it comes to the capture and control of gaseous compounds present in the indoor air space, activated carbon will quickly and effectively trap these contaminants on this activated filter media.

In some cases, the charcoal/carbon material will be treated with additional chemicals during the activation of this material, which will be done through the use of a chemical called potassium permanganate. Potassium permanganate is used in activated carbon filter media to help attract reactions between the carbon media and the oxidation of polar or low molecular weight compounds. In addition, many manufacturers use this chemical additive on carbon filters to help extend the life of the filter for customers who do not wish to change filters more frequently. However, this comes at the cost of your environment, which is now using chemicals to trap other chemicals in the air space, something many customers strongly object to.

Activated Carbon vs Activated Charcoal

Two commonly interchanged words when it comes to carbon filtration is that of activated carbon and activated charcoal. When discussing carbon air filtration, you will tend to hear both of these specific characterizations stated, which can lead to many questions on whether they both mean the same When discussing carbon air filtration, you will tend to hear both of these specific characterizations stated, which can lead to many questions on whether they both mean the same thing or if they each have their own meaning when used in filters to clean the indoor air. The media is created by burning the carbon material without oxygen which makes the carbon The media is created by burning the carbon material without oxygen which makes the carbon "char". The char is than treated chemically to develop porous holes inside the carbon that allow the filter media to capture more pollutants in the material over The char is than treated chemically to develop porous holes inside the carbon that allow the filter media to capture more pollutants in the material over time.

The activated charcoal is the same thing as activated carbon, with both of these words being synonymous with one another. charcoal or activated carbon, they are speaking of the same filtration process.

Carbon Filters and Ozone Generators

Ozone generators and carbon filters have the same purpose, which is to remove odors. But the way they accomplish this goal is very different. Ozone generators release ozone into the room, which then destroys the contaminants. In contrast, a carbon filter "draws in" the surrounding air, which passes through the filter and traps the odor particles. Odorless air is then released from the unit and returned to the room. Harmful particles remain on the filter and do not return to the air at any time.

Two similarly simple and straightforward solutions, but with very different uses and limitations. Let's take a more in-depth look.