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{{Condense|date=October 2009}}
[[Image:Activated Carbon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Activated carbon]]

'''Activated carbon''', also called '''activated charcoal''' or '''activated coal''' is a form of [[carbon]] that has been processed to make it extremely [[porous]] and thus to have a very large [[surface area]] available for [[adsorption]] or [[chemical reaction]]s.<ref>[http://www.activated-carbon.com/1-3.html "Properties of Activated Carbon", CPL Caron Link, accessed 2008-05-02]</ref>

The word ''activated'' in the name is sometimes replaced with ''active''.  Due to its high degree of microporosity, just 1 [[gram]] of activated carbon has a surface area in excess of 500&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> (about one tenth the size of a football feld), as determined typically by [[nitrogen]] gas [[adsorption]]. Sufficient activation for useful applications may come solely from the high surface area, though further chemical treatment often enhances the absorbing properties of the material.  Activated carbon is usually derived from [[charcoal]].

==Production==
Activated carbon is carbon produced from carbonaceous source materials like nutshells,  [[peat]], [[wood]], [[coir]], [[lignite]], [[coal]] and [[Pitch (resin)|petroleum pitch]].  It can be produced by one of the following processes:
# '''Physical reactivation''': The precursor is developed into activated carbons using gases. This is generally done by using one or a combination of the following processes:
#* ''Carbonization'': Material with carbon content is [[pyrolysis|pyrolyzed]] at temperatures in the range 600&ndash;900 °C, in absence of air (usually in inert atmosphere with gases like [[argon]] or [[nitrogen]])
#* ''Activation/Oxidation'': Raw material or [[carbonization|carbonised]] material is exposed to oxidizing atmospheres ([[carbon dioxide]], oxygen, or steam) at temperatures above 250 °C, usually in the temperature range of 600&ndash;1200&nbsp;°C.
# '''Chemical activation''': Prior to carbonization, the raw material is impregnated with certain chemicals.  The chemical is typically an [[acid]], strong [[Alkali|base]], or a [[Salt (chemistry)|salt]] ([[phosphoric acid]], [[potassium hydroxide]], [[sodium hydroxide]], [[zinc chloride]], respectively).  Then, the raw material is carbonized at lower temperatures (450&ndash;900&nbsp;°C). It is believed that the carbonization / activation step proceeds simultaneously with the chemical activation.  Chemical activation is preferred over physical activation owing to the lower temperatures and shorter time needed for activating material.

==Classifications==
Activated carbons are complex products which are difficult to classify on the basis of their behaviour, surface characteristics and preparation methods. However, some broad classification is made for general purpose based on their physical characteristics.

===Powdered activated carbon (PAC)===
Traditionally, active carbons are made in particular form as powders or fine granules less than 1.0&nbsp;mm in size with an average diameter between .15 and .25&nbsp;mm.<ref>http://en.mimi.hu/astronomy/granule.html</ref> Thus they present a large surface to volume ratio with a small diffusion distance. PAC is made up of crushed or ground carbon particles, 95–100% of which will pass through a designated [[Mesh (scale)|mesh sieve]] or sieve. Granular activated carbon is defined as the activated carbon being retained on a 50-mesh sieve (0.297&nbsp;mm) and PAC material as finer material, while [[ASTM International|ASTM]] classifies particle sizes corresponding to an 80-mesh sieve (0.177&nbsp;mm) and smaller as PAC. PAC is not commonly used in a dedicated vessel, owing to the high [[head loss]] that would occur. PAC is generally added directly to other process units, such as raw water intakes, rapid mix basins, clarifiers, and gravity filters.

===Granular activated carbon (GAC)===
Granular activated carbon has a relatively larger particle size compared to powdered activated carbon and consequently, presents a smaller external surface. Diffusion of the adsorbate is thus an important factor. These carbons are therefore preferred for all [[adsorption]] of gases and vapours as their rate of diffusion are faster. Granulated carbons are used for [[water treatment]], deodourisation and separation of components of flow system. GAC can be either in the granular form or extruded. GAC is designated by sizes such as 8×20, 20×40, or 8×30 for liquid phase applications and 4×6, 4×8 or 4×10 for vapour phase applications. A 20×40 carbon is made of particles that will pass through a U.S. Standard Mesh Size No. 20 sieve (0.84&nbsp;mm) (generally specified as 85% passing) but be retained on a U.S. Standard Mesh Size No. 40 sieve (0.42&nbsp;mm) (generally specified as 95% retained). AWWA (1992) B604 uses the 50-mesh sieve (0.297&nbsp;mm) as the minimum GAC size. The most popular aqueous phase carbons are the 12×40 and 8×30 sizes because they have a good balance of size, surface area, and 
[[Hydraulic_head#Head_Loss|head loss]] characteristics.

===Extruded activated carbon (EAC)===
Extruded activated carbon combines powdered activated carbon with a binder, which are fused together and extruded into a cylindrical shaped activated carbon block with diameters from 0.8 to 130&nbsp;mm.  These are mainly used for gas phase applications because of their low pressure drop, high mechanical strength and low dust content.

===Impregnated carbon===
Porous carbons containing several types of inorganic impregnant such as [[iodine]], [[silver]], [[cation]]s such as Al, Mn, Zn, Fe, Li, Ca have also been prepared for specific application in [[air pollution]] control especially in museums and galleries. Due to antimicrobial/antiseptic properties, silver loaded activated carbon is used as an adsorbent for purification of domestic water. Drinking water can be obtained from natural water by treating the natural water with a mixture of activated carbon and [[Aluminium hydroxide|Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>]], a [[Flocculation|flocculating agent]]. Impregnated carbons are also used for the adsorption of H<sub>2</sub>S and [[thiol]]s. Adsorption rates for [[Hydrogen sulfide|H<sub>2</sub>S]] as high as 50% by weight have been reported.

===Polymer coated carbon===
This is a process by which a porous carbon can be coated with a biocompatible [[polymer]] to give a smooth and permeable coat without blocking the pores. The resulting carbon is useful for [[hemoperfusion]]. Hemoperfusion is a treatment technique in which large volumes of the patient's blood are passed over an adsorbent substance in order to remove toxic substances from the blood.

===Other===
Activated carbon is also available in special forms such as cloths and fibres.  The "carbon cloth" for instance is used in personnel protection for the military.

==Properties==
A [[gram]] of activated carbon can have a surface area in excess of 500 [[metre|m]]<sup>2</sup>, with 1500 m<sup>2</sup> being readily achievable.<ref>[http://cgpl.iisc.ernet.in/site/Portals/0/Publications/Presentations/Bio-Energy/Value%20Added%20Products%20From%20Gasification%20%20-%20Activated%20Carbon.pdf Value Added Products from Gasification] &ndash; Acitivated Carbon, By Shoba jhadhav, The Combustion,Gasification and Propulsion Laboratory (CGPL) at the  Indian Institute of Science (IISc)</ref> Carbon [[aerogel]]s, while more expensive, have even higher surface areas, and are used in special applications.

[[Image:Activated-carbon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Activated carbon, as viewed by an electron microscope]]
Under an [[electron microscope]], the high surface-area structures of activated carbon are revealed. Individual particles are intensely convoluted and display various kinds of [[porosity]]; there may be many areas where flat surfaces of [[graphite]]-like material run parallel to each other, separated by only a few [[metre|nanometers]] or so. These [[micro]]pores provide superb conditions for [[adsorption]] to occur, since adsorbing material can interact with many surfaces simultaneously. Tests of adsorption behaviour are usually done with [[nitrogen]] gas at 77 [[kelvin|K]] under high [[vacuum]], but in everyday terms activated carbon is perfectly capable of producing the equivalent, by adsorption from its environment, liquid water from [[steam]] at 100 [[Celsius|°C]] and a pressure of 1/10,000 of an [[atmosphere (unit)|atmosphere]].

Physically, activated carbon binds materials by [[van der Waals force]] or [[London dispersion force]].

Activated carbon does not bind well to certain chemicals, including [[alcohol]]s, [[glycol]]s, strong [[acid]]s and [[base (chemistry)|bases]], [[metal]]s and most  [[inorganic]]s, such as [[lithium]], [[sodium]], [[iron]], [[lead]], [[arsenic]], [[fluorine]], and [[boric acid]].

Activated carbon does adsorb [[iodine]] very well and in fact the [[Iodine value|iodine number]], mg/g, ([[ASTM International|ASTM]] D28 Standard Method test) is used as an indication of total surface area.

Contrary to a claim repeated {{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} throughout the web, activated carbon can capture gaseous ammonia. In fact, it is utilized for that very function in many [[whiteprint|diazo copier]] machines.

Activated carbon can be used as a substrate for the application of various chemicals to improve the adsorptive capacity for some inorganic (and problematic organic) compounds such as [[hydrogen sulfide]] (H<sub>2</sub>S), ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>), formaldehyde (HCOH), radioisotopes [[iodine-131]](<sup>131</sup>I) and [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] (Hg)<!--should be placed before "radioisotopes" or identify it-->. This property is known as [[chemisorption]].
;Iodine number
Many carbons preferentially adsorb small molecules. [[Iodine value|Iodine number]] is the most fundamental parameter used to characterize activated carbon performance.
It is a measure of activity level (higher number indicates higher degree of activation), often reported in mg/g (typical range 500–1200&nbsp;mg/g).
It is a measure of the micropore content of the activated carbon (0 to 20 [[Ångström|Å]], or up to 2 [[nanometer|nm]]) by adsorption of iodine from solution.
It is equivalent to surface area of carbon between 900 m²/g and 1100 m²/g.
It is the standard measure for liquid phase applications.

Iodine number is defined as the milligrams of iodine [[adsorption|adsorbed]] by one gram of carbon when the iodine concentration in the residual filtrate is 0.02 normal. Basically, iodine number is a measure of the iodine adsorbed in the pores and, as such, is an indication of the pore volume available in the activated carbon of interest. Typically, water treatment carbons have iodine numbers ranging from 600 to 1100. Frequently, this parameter is used to determine the degree of exhaustion of a carbon in use. However, this practice should be viewed with caution as chemical interactions with the [[adsorbate]] may affect the iodine uptake giving false results. Thus, the use of iodine number as a measure of the degree of exhaustion of a carbon bed can only be recommended if it has been shown to be free of chemical interactions with adsorbates and if an experimental correlation between iodine number and the degree of exhaustion has been determined for the particular application.

;Molasses
Some carbons are more adept at adsorbing large molecules.
[[Molasses number]] or molasses efficiency is a measure of the [[Mesoporous material|mesopore]] content of the activated carbon (greater than 20 [[Ångström|Å]], or larger than 2 [[nanometer|nm]]) by adsorption of molasses from solution.
A high molasses number indicates a high adsorption of big molecules (range 95&ndash;600).  Caramel dp (decolorizing performance) is similar to molasses number.  Molasses efficiency is reported as a percentage (range 40%&ndash;185%) and parallels molasses number (600 = 185%, 425 = 85%).
The European molasses number (range 525&ndash;110) is inversely related to the North American molasses number.

Molasses Number is a measure of the degree of decolorization of a standard molasses solution that has been diluted and standardized against standardized activated carbon. Due to the size of color bodies, the molasses number represents the potential pore volume available for larger adsorbing species. As all of the pore volume may not be available for adsorption in a particular waste water application, and as some of the adsorbate may enter smaller pores, it is not a good measure of the worth of a particular activated carbon for a specific application. Frequently, this parameter is useful in evaluating a series of active carbons for their rates of adsorption. Given two active carbons with similar pore volumes for adsorption, the one having the higher molasses number will usually have larger feeder pores resulting in more efficient transfer of adsorbate into the adsorption space.

;Tannin
[[Tannin]]s are a mixture of large and medium size molecules.
Carbons with a combination of [[macropore]]s and [[Mesoporous material|mesopores]] adsorb tannins.
The ability of a carbon to adsorb tannins is reported in parts per million concentration (range 200 ppm&ndash;362 ppm).

;Methylene blue
Some carbons have a mesopore (20 [[Ångström|Å]] to 50 Å, or 2 to 5&nbsp;nm) structure which adsorbs medium size molecules, such as the dye [[methylene blue]].
Methylene blue adsorption is reported in g/100g (range 11&ndash;28 g/100g).

;Dechlorination
Some carbons are evaluated based on the [[Reductive dechlorination|dechlorination]] half-value length, which measures the chlorine-removal efficiency of activated carbon.  The dechlorination half-value length is the depth of carbon required to reduce the chlorine level of a flowing stream from 5 ppm to 3.5 ppm.  A lower half-value length indicates superior performance.

;Apparent density
Higher density provides greater volume activity and normally indicates better quality activated carbon.

;Hardness/abrasion number
It is a measure of the activated carbon’s resistance to attrition.
It is important indicator of activated carbon to maintain its physical integrity and withstand frictional forces imposed by backwashing, etc. There are large differences in the hardness of activated carbons, depending on the raw material and activity level.

;Ash content
It reduces the overall activity of activated carbon.
It reduces the efficiency of reactivation.
The metal oxides (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) can leach out of activated carbon resulting in discoloration. Acid/water soluble ash content is more significant than total ash content. Soluble ash content can be very important for aquarists, as ferric oxide can promote algal growths, a carbon with a low soluble ash content should be used for marine, freshwater fish and reef tanks to avoid heavy metal poisoning and excess plant/algal growth.

;Carbon tetrachloride activity
Measurement of the porosity of an activated carbon by the adsorption of saturated carbon tetrachloride vapour.

;Particle size distribution
The finer the particle size of an activated carbon, the better the access to the surface area and the faster the rate of adsorption kinetics. In vapour phase systems this needs to be considered against pressure drop, which will affect energy cost. Careful consideration of particle size distribution can provide significant operating benefits.

==Examples of adsorption==
===Heterogeneous catalysis===
The most commonly encountered form of chemisorption in industry, occurs when a solid [[catalyst]] interacts with a gaseous feedstock, the reactant/s.  The adsorption of reactant/s to the catalyst surface creates a chemical bond, altering the electron density around the reactant molecule and allowing it to undergo reactions that would not normally be available to it.

===Adsorption refrigeration===
[[Adsorption refrigeration]] and heat pump cycles rely on the adsorption of a refrigerant gas into an adsorbent at low pressure and subsequent desorption by heating. The adsorbent acts as a "chemical compressor" driven by heat and is, from this point of view, the "pump" of the system. It consists of a solar collector, a condenser or heat-exchanger and an evaporator that is placed in a refrigerator box. The inside of the collector is lined with an adsorption bed packed with activated carbon adsorbed with methanol. The refrigerator box is insulated filled with water. The activated carbon can adsorb a large amount of methanol vapours in ambient temperature and desorb it at a higher temperature (around 100 degrees Celsius). During the daytime, the sunshine irradiates the collector, so the collector is heated up and the methanol is desorbed from the activated carbon. In desorption, the liquid methanol adsorbed in the charcoal heats up and vaporizes. The methanol vapour condenses and is stored in the evaporator.

At night, the collector temperature decreases to the ambient temperature, and the charcoal adsorbs the methanol from the evaporator. The liquid methanol in the evaporator vaporizes and absorbs the heat from the water contained in the trays. Since adsorption is a process of releasing heat, the collector must be cooled efficiently at night. As mentioned above, the adsorption refrigeration system operates in an intermittent way to produce the refrigerating effect.

Helium gas can also be 'pumped' by thermally cycling activated carbon 'sorption pumps' between 4 [[kelvin]]s and higher temperatures. An example of this is to provide the cooling power for the Oxford Instruments AST series dilution refrigerators. <sup>3</sup>He vapour is pumped from the surface of the dilute phase of a mixture of liquid <sup>4</sup>He and its isotope <sup>3</sup>He. The <sup>3</sup>He is adsorbed onto the surfaces of the carbon at low temperature (typically <4K), the regeneration of the pump between 20 and 40 K returns the <sup>3</sup>He to the concentrated phase of the liquid mixture. Cooling occurs at the interface between the two liquid phases as <sup>3</sup>He 'evaporates' across the phase boundary. If more than one pump is present in the system a continuous flow of gas and hence constant cooling power can be obtained, by having one sorption pump regenerating while the other is pumping. Systems such as this allow temperatures as low as 10 mK (0.01 kelvin) to be obtained with very few moving parts.

==Applications==<!-- This section is linked from [[Air stripping]] -->
Activated carbon is used in [[air pollution|gas purification]], [[carbon in pulp|gold purification]], [[extractive metallurgy|metal extraction]], [[water purification]], [[medicine]], [[sewage treatment]], [[air filter]]s in [[gas mask]]s and [[filter mask]]s, filters in compressed air and many other applications.

One major industrial application involves use of activated carbon in the metal finishing field. It is very widely employed for purification of electroplating solutions. For example, it is a main purification technique for removing organic impurities from bright nickel plating solutions. A variety of organic chemicals are added to plating solutions for improving their deposit qualities and for enhancing properties like brightness, smoothness, ductility, etc. Due to passage of direct current and electrolytic reactions of anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction, organic additives generate unwanted break down products in solution. Their excessive build up can adversely affect the plating quality and physical properties of deposited metal. Activated carbon treatment removes such impurities and restores plating performance to the desired level.

===Analytical chemistry applications===
Activated carbon, in 50% w/w combination with [[celite]], is used as stationary phase in low-pressure chromatographic separation of carbohydrates (mono-, di- trisaccharides) using ethanol solutions (5&ndash;50%) as mobile phase in analytical or preparative protocols.

===Environmental applications===
[[File:Water Filtration Systems.png|thumb|210px|right|Activated carbon is usually used in water filtration systems. In this illustration, the activated carbon is in the fourth level (counted from bottom).]]

Carbon [[adsorption]] has numerous applications in removing [[pollutant]]s from air or water streams both in the field and in industrial processes such as:
* Spill cleanup
* [[Groundwater]] [[Environmental remediation|remediation]]
* [[Drinking water]] [[filtration]]
* [[Air purifiers|Air purification]]
* [[Volatile organic compound]]s capture from [[painting]], [[dry cleaning]], gasoline dispensing operations, and other processes.

In 2007, West-Flanders University (in Belgium) began research in water treatment after festivals <ref>[http://www.labmeeting.com/paper/28552316/van-hulle-2008-sustainable-wastewater-treatment-of-temporary-events-the-dranouter-music-festival-case-study Sustainable wastewater treatment of temporary events: the Dranouter Music Festival case study]</a>. Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research. 2008;58(8):1653&ndash;7.</ref>. A full scale activated carbon installation was built at the [[Dranouter music festival]] in 2008 {{Citation needed|reason=where is this documented?|date=July 2009}}, with plans to utilize the technology to treat water at this festival for the next 20 years {{Citation needed|reason=where is this documented?|date=July 2009}}.

Activated charcoal is also used for the measurement of radon concentration in air.

===Medical applications===
Activated carbon is used to treat [[poison]]ings and [[overdose]]s following oral [[ingestion]].

It is thought to bind to poison and prevent its absorption by the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. In cases of suspected poisoning, medical personnel administer activated charcoal on the scene or at a hospital's [[emergency department]]. Dosing is usually empirical at 1&nbsp;gram/kg of body weight (for adolescents or adults, give 50–100 g), usually given only once, but depending on the drug taken, it may be given more than once. In rare situations activated charcoal is used in Intensive Care to filter out harmful drugs from the blood stream of poisoned patients. Activated charcoal has become the treatment of choice for many poisonings, and other decontamination methods such as [[syrup of ipecac|ipecac]]-induced [[emesis]] or [[Gastric lavage|stomach pumping]] are now used rarely.
[[File:ActivatedCharcoal.JPG|thumb|right|Activated charcoal for medical use.]]
While activated carbon is useful in acute poisoning, it has been shown to not be effective in long term accumulation of toxins, such as with the use of toxic herbicides.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Eddleston M, Juszczak E, Buckley NA, ''et al.''|title=Multiple-dose activated charcoal in acute self-poisoning: a randomised controlled trial|journal=Lancet|year=2008|volume=371|issue=9612|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60270-6|page=579}}</ref>

Mechanisms of action:
*Binding of the toxin to prevent stomach and intestinal absorption.  Binding is reversible so a [[cathartic]] such as [[sorbitol]] may be added as well.
*It interrupts the [[enterohepatic circulation|enterohepatic]] and [[enteroenteric circulation]] of some drugs/toxins and their [[metabolites]]

Incorrect application (e.g. into the lungs) results in [[pulmonary aspiration]] which can sometimes be fatal if immediate medical treatment is not initiated.<ref name="Chest1989-Elliott">{{cite journal | author = Elliott C, Colby T, Kelly T, Hicks H | title = Charcoal lung. Bronchiolitis obliterans after aspiration of activated charcoal | journal = Chest | volume = 96 | issue = 3 | pages = 672–4 | year = 1989 | pmid = 2766830 | doi = 10.1378/chest.96.3.672}}</ref> The use of activated charcoal is [[Contraindication|contraindicated]] when the ingested substance is an acid, an alkali, or a petroleum product.

For pre-hospital ([[paramedic]]) use, it comes in plastic tubes or bottles, commonly 12.5 or 25&nbsp;grams, pre-mixed with water. The trade names include InstaChar, SuperChar, Actidose, Charcodote, and Liqui-Char, but it is commonly called activated charcoal.

Ingestion of activated charcoal prior to consumption of [[alcoholic beverages]] appeared to reduce absorption of [[ethanol]] into the blood. 5 to 15 milligrams of charcoal per kilogram of body weight taken at the same time as 170 ml of pure ethanol (which equals to about 10 servings of an alcoholic beverage), over the course of one hour, seemed to reduce potential [[blood alcohol content]].<ref>{{Cite patent | inventor1-last = Procter | inventor1-first = Richard | inventor2-last = Anondson | inventor2-first = Stanton | title = Method of altering intoxicating effects of alcohol  | issue-date = 1986 | patent-number = 4594249 | country-code = US | postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref> Yet other studies showed that this is not the case, and that ethanol blood concentrations were ''increased'' because of activated charcoal use.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3723647 Activated charcoal in oral ethanol absorption: lack of effect in humans.], Minocha A, Herold DA, Barth JT, Gideon DA, Spyker DA., J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1986;24(3):225&ndash;34, PubMED</ref>

[[Charcoal biscuit]]s were sold in England starting in the early 19th century, originally as an [[antidote]] to [[flatulence]] and stomach trouble.<ref name=Rolland>{{cite book | last= Rolland |first= Jacques L. | title= The Food Encyclopedia: Over 8,000 Ingredients, Tools, Techniques and People | publisher=Robert Rose | year=2006 | isbn= 0778801500 | pages= 148}}</ref>

[[Tablet]]s or [[capsules]] of activated charcoal are used in many countries as an [[over-the-counter drug]] to treat [[diarrhea]], [[indigestion]], and [[flatulence]].<ref name="stearn2007">
{{cite book
 |title=Warts and all: straight talking advice on life's embarrassing problems
 |last=Stearn
 |first=Margaret
 |authorlink=
 |year=2007
 |publisher=Murdoch Books
 |location=London
 |isbn=978-1-92125984-5
 |page=333
 |pages=
 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=aSRmxC47VNMC&printsec=frontcover#PPA333
 |accessdate=2009-05-03
}}
</ref> There is some evidence of its effectiveness as a treatment for [[irritable bowel syndrome]] (IBS),<ref>{{cite journal |author=Hübner WD, Moser EH |title=Charcoal tablets in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome |journal=Adv Ther |volume=19 |issue=5 |pages=245–52 |year=2002 |pmid=12539884 |url=https://www.advancesintherapy.com/detail.aspx?ID=276 |doi=10.1007/BF02850364}}</ref> and to prevent diarrhea in cancer patients who have received [[irinotecan]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Michael M, Brittain M, Nagai J, ''et al.'' |title=Phase II study of activated charcoal to prevent irinotecan-induced diarrhea |journal=J Clin Oncol. |volume=22 |issue=21 |pages=4410–7 |year=2004 |month=Nov |pmid=15514383 |doi=10.1200/JCO.2004.11.125 }}</ref>  It can interfere with the absorbency of some medications, and lead to unreliable readings in medical tests such as the [[stool guaiac test|guaiac]] card test.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gogel HK, Tandberg D, Strickland RG |title=Substances that interfere with guaiac card tests: implications for gastric aspirate testing |journal=Am J Emerg Med |volume=7 |issue=5 |pages=474–80 |year=1989 |month=Sep |pmid=2787993 |doi=10.1016/0735-6757(89)90248-9 }}</ref> Activated charcoal is also used for bowel preparation by reducing intestinal gas content before abdominal [[radiography]] to visualize [[bile]] and pancreatic and [[renal stones]]. A type of charcoal biscuit has also been marketed as a pet care product.

===Fuel storage===
Research is being done testing various activated carbons' ability to store [[natural gas]] and [[hydrogen gas]].  The porous material acts like a sponge for different types of gasses.  The gas is attracted to the carbon material via [[Van der Waals forces]].  Some carbons have been able to achieve bonding energies of 5&ndash;10 KJ per mol.  The gas may then be desorbed when subjected to higher temperatures and either combusted to do work or in the case of hydrogen gas extracted for use in a [[hydrogen fuel cell]].  Gas storage in activated carbons is an appealing gas storage method because the gas can be stored in a low pressure, low mass, low volume environment that would be much more feasible than bulky on board compression tanks in vehicles.  The [[United States Department of Energy]] has specified certain goals to be achieved in the area of research and development of nano-porous carbon materials.  As of yet all of the goals are yet to be satisfied but numerous institutions, including the Alliance for Collaborative Research in Alternative Fuel Technology (ALL-CRAFT, http://all-craft.missouri.edu) program, are continuing to conduct work in this promising field.

===Gas purification===
Filters with activated carbon are usually used in compressed air and gas purification to remove [[oil]] vapours, odours, and other [[hydrocarbon]]s from the air. The most common designs use a 1 stage or 2 stage filtration principle in which activated carbon is embedded inside the filter media.  Activated charcoal is also used in [[spacesuit]] [[Primary Life Support System]]s.
Activated charcoal filters are used to retain radioactive gases from a nuclear boiling water reactor turbine condenser.  The air vacuumed from the condenser contains traces of radioactive gases.  The large charcoal beds adsorb these gases and retains them while they rapidly decay to non-radioactive solid species.  The solids are trapped in the charcoal particles, while the filtered air passes through.

===Chemical purification===
Activated carbon is commonly used to purify homemade non-dangerous chemicals such as [[sodium acetate]]. It is then filtered out.

===Distilled alcoholic beverage purification===
{{See also|Lincoln County Process}}
Activated carbon filters can be used to filter [[vodka]] and [[whiskey]] of [[organic compound|organic]] impurities which can affect color, taste, and odor. Passing an organically impure vodka through an activated carbon filter at the proper flow rate will result in vodka with an identical alcohol content and significantly increased organic purity, as judged by odor and taste.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}

===Mercury scrubbing===
Activated carbon, often impregnated with iodine or sulfur, is widely used to trap mercury emissions from [[coal-fired power station]]s, medical [[Incineration|incinerators]], and from [[natural gas]] at the wellhead. This carbon is a specialty product costing more than $4.00 per kg. However, it is often not recycled.
=====Disposal in the USA after absorbing mercury=====
The mercury laden activated carbon presents a disposal dilemma.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} If the activated carbon contains less than 260 ppm mercury, Federal regulations allow it to be  stabilized (for example, trapped in concrete) for landfilling.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} However, waste containing greater than 260  ppm is considered to be in the  high mercury subcategory  and is banned from  landfilling (Land-Ban Rule).{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}  It is this material which is now accumulating in warehouses and in deep abandoned mines at an estimated rate of 1000 tons per year.{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}}

The problem of disposal of mercury laden activated carbon is not unique to the U.S. In the Netherlands this mercury is largely recovered<ref>[http://www.bmt-begemann.nl/index.html ''BMT-Begemann, Mercury waste treatment facilities'']</ref> and the activated carbon is disposed by complete burning.

==Regeneration==
The regeneration of activated carbons involves restoring the [[adsorption|adsorptive capacity]] of saturated activated carbon by desorbing adsorbed contaminants on the activated carbon surface.

===Thermal regeneration===
The most common regeneration technique employed in industrial processes is thermal regeneration <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Bagreev
  | first = A.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Rhaman, H., & Bandosz, T. J
  | title = Thermal regeneration of a spent activated carbon adsorbent previously used as hydrogen sulfide adsorbent
  | journal = Carbon
  | volume = 39
  | issue =
  | pages = 1319–1326
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2001
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/S0008-6223(00)00266-9
  | id =
  | accessdate = }}</ref>. The thermal regeneration process generally follows three steps <ref name=sabio>{{Cite journal
  | last = Sabio
  | first = E.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Gonzalez, E., Gonzalez, J. F., Gonzalez-Garcia, C. M., Ramiro, A., & Ganan, J
  | title = Thermal regeneration of activated carbon saturated with p-nitrophenol
  | journal = Carbon		
  | volume = 42
  | issue =
  | pages = 2285–2293
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2004
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/j.carbon.2004.05.007
  | id =
  | accessdate = }}</ref>:
*Adsorbent drying at approximately 105 °C
*High temperature desorption and decomposition (500&ndash;900°C) under an inert atmosphere
*Residual organic gasification by an oxidising gas (steam or carbon dioxide) at elevated temperatures (800°C)

The heat treatment stage utilises the [[exothermic]] nature of adsorption and results in desorption, partial [[cracking (chemistry)|cracking]] and [[polymerization]] of the adsorbed organics. The final step aims to remove charred organic residue formed in the porous structure in the previous stage and re-expose the porous carbon structure regenerating its original surface characteristics. After treatment the adsorption column can be reused. Per adsorption-thermal regeneration cycle between 5&ndash;15 wt% of the carbon bed is burnt off resulting in a loss of adsorptive capacity.<ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Miguel
  | first = G. S.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Lambert, S. D., & Graham, N. J. D
  | title = The regeneration of field spent granular activated carbons
  | journal = Water Research
  | volume =35
  | issue = 11
  | pages = 2740–2748
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2001
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/S0043-1354(00)00549-2
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 11456174 }}</ref>. Thermal regeneration is a high energy process due to the high required temperatures making it both an energetically and commercially expensive process <ref name=sabio />. Plants that rely on thermal regeneration of activated carbon have to be of a certain size before it is economically viable to have regeneration facilities onsite. As a result it is common for smaller waste treatment sites to ship their activated carbon cores to a specialised facility for regeneration, increasing the processes already significant [[carbon footprint]] <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Alvarez
  | first = P. M.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Beltran, F. J., Gomez-Serrano, V., Jaramillo, J., & Rodriguez, E. M
  | title = Comparison between thermal and ozone regenerations of spent activated carbon exhausted with phenol
  | journal = Water Research
  | volume = 38
  | issue =8
  | pages = 2155–2165
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2004
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/j.watres.2004.01.030
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 15087197 }}</ref>.

===Other regeneration techniques===
Current concerns with the high energy/cost nature of thermal regeneration of activated carbon has encouraged research into alternative regeneration methods to reduce the environmental impact of such processes. Though several of the regeneration techniques cited have remained areas of purely academic research, some alternatives to thermal regeneration systems have been employed in industry. Current alternative regeneration methods are:
*Chemical and solvent regeneration <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Martin
  | first = R. J.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Wj, N
  | title = The repeated exhaustion and chemical regeneration of activated carbon
  | journal = Water Research
  | volume = 21
  | issue = 8
  | pages = 961–965
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 1997
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/S0043-1354(87)80014-3
  | id =
  | accessdate = }}</ref>
*Microbial regeneration <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Aizpuru
  | first = A.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Malhautier, L., Roux, J. C., & Fanlo, J. L
  | title = Biofiltration of a mixture of volatile organic compounds on granular activated carbon
  | journal = Biotechnology and Bioengineering
  | volume = 83
  | issue = 4
  | pages = 479–488
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2003
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1002/bit.10691
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 12800142 }}</ref>
*[[Electrochemical Regeneration|Electrochemical regeneration]] <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Narbaitz
  | first = R. M.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Karimi-Jashni, A
  | title = Electrochemical regeneration of granular activated carbons loaded with phenol and natural organic matter
  | journal = Environmental Technology
  | volume = 30	
  | issue = 1
  | pages = 27–36
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2009
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1080/09593330802422803
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 19213463 }}</ref>
*Ultrasonic regeneration <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Lim
  | first = J.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors =Okada, M
  | title = Regeneration of granular activated carbon using ultrasound
  | journal = Ultrasonic-Sono-Chemistry
  | volume = 12
  | issue =4
  | pages = 277–285
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2005
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/j.ultsonch.2004.02.003
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 15501710 }}</ref>
*Wet air oxidation <ref>{{Cite journal
  | last = Shende
  | first = R. V.
  | authorlink =
  | coauthors = Mahajani, V
  | title = Wet oxidative regeneration of activated carbon loaded with reactive dye
  | journal = Waste Management
  | volume = 22
  | issue =1
  | pages = 73–83
  | publisher =
  | location =
  | year = 2002
  | url =
  | issn =
  | doi =10.1016/S0956-053X(01)00022-8
  | id =
  | accessdate =
  | pmid = 11942707 }}</ref>

==See also==
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[Carbon black]]
*[[Carbon filtering]]
*[[Kværner-process]]		
*[[Onboard refueling vapor recovery]]
*[[Sumi]]
*[[Zeocarbon]]
</div>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/h2oqual/watsys/ae1029w.htm "Activated Carbon for water filtration"] &ndash; Treatment Systems for Household Water Supplies] AE-1029, February 1992
*[http://www.personal.rdg.ac.uk/~scsharip/Activated_carbon_JPCM.pdf  "Imaging the atomic structure of activated carbon"] &ndash; JOURNAL OF PHYSICS: CONDENSED MATTER
*Engber, Daniel (Nov. 28, 2005). [http://www.slate.com/id/2131130/ "How Does Activated Carbon Work?"]. ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''.

{{Allotropes of carbon}}
{{Toxicology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Activated Carbon}}
[[Category:Carbon forms]]
[[Category:Filters]]
[[Category:Toxicology]]
[[Category:Excipients]]
[[Category:World Health Organization essential medicines]]

[[ar:كربون نشط]]
[[bg:Активен въглен]]
[[ca:Carbó actiu]]
[[cs:Aktivní uhlí]]
[[de:Aktivkohle]]
[[et:Aktiivsüsi]]
[[es:Carbón activado]]
[[fa:زغال فعال]]
[[fr:Charbon activé]]
[[hr:Aktivni ugljen]]
[[id:Karbon aktif]]
[[it:Carbone attivo]]
[[nl:Actieve kool]]
[[ja:活性炭]]
[[no:Aktivt kull]]
[[pl:Węgiel aktywny]]
[[pt:Carvão ativado]]
[[ru:Активированный уголь]]
[[sk:Aktívne uhlie]]
[[sr:Активни угаљ]]
[[fi:Aktiivihiili]]
[[sv:Aktivt kol]]
[[th:ถ่านกัมมันต์]]
[[tr:Aktif karbon]]
[[uk:Активоване вугілля]]
[[vi:Than hoạt tính]]
[[zh:活性炭]]
[[Category:2Fix]]