By Carbon filters have been in use for many centuries and still remain effective to date. They are very versatile and their use has been extended to many other areas today. The filters use activated carbon because of its properties that make it the most suitable substance for use in the filters. It is inert and safe for use, can absorb a lot of gaseous and liquid impurities, and has a large surface area to absorb impurities.
The two types available are granular activated filters and powdered block filters. Powdered block filters are generally preferred to granular activated filters due the larger surface area of the powdered carbon compared to granular carbon.
There are many brands available on the market. Some, such as cartridge filters, are refillable, while others can only be used once and should be disposed thereafter.
Uses of carbon filters
The filters have several commercial and domestic applications. These include:
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- Extraction of chemicals and other impurities from water to make it safe for consumption in water treatment facilities
- Removal of gaseous chemical impurities during production of biogas
- Removal carbon dioxide and other exhaled gases from respirator masks
- Sugarcane purification
- Extraction of precious metals such as gold
- Cigarette filters
- Air purification, for example, purifying air in grow rooms and controlling odors in various places
- Hot cell construction in the nuclear industry
The filters are easy to use and most of them require low maintenance and are durable if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the latter. If any complex issues arise, you should enlist the services of a professional to avoid causing any further damage to your filter. However, most repairs are simple and can be done from home. The user guide has the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the parts of the filter. You should replace the carbon as often as the manufacturer recommends. Carbon creates an environment suitable for bacteria to thrive. You should therefore run water through the filter for about a minute every so often to flush out the bacteria accumulated in the filter.
