Granular activated carbon (GAC) is produced from raw organic materials (coconut shell or coal) that are high in carbon. Heat is used to activate the surface area of the carbon. Filters made with carbon are sometimes referred to as charcoal filters. Aqua Clear Water Treatment Specialists activated carbon remove certain chemicals that are dissolved in water by adsorbing the chemical in the GAC.
Activated carbon filters have a variety of useful properties. Activated carbon media is typically made up of very small carbon-based particles that have a high surface area. This high surface area allows for a large contact area for dispersed colloidal material. Additionally, organics such as humic and fulvic acids have a high affinity for carbon-based media, making activated carbon filters an excellent means of color removal of water for natural brackish water sources such as rivers, ponds or lakes. Activated carbon filters can also be used to remove free and total chlorine from water prior to reaching a reverse osmosis system. If the primary use for the carbon filter is chlorine removal, chlorine should be monitored downstream as the carbon bed will eventually exhaust its capacity to remove chlorine. Aqua Clear has a line of chemical dechlorinating agents for use in removal of chlorine where implementation of a carbon bed is not practical, feasible or would often need replacement due to high amounts of chlorine in feed waters.
It is imperative to know the type and concentration of contaminants in order to determine the correct size and components of the Aqua Clear Water Treatment Specialists GAC System. All Aqua Clear Water Treatment Specialists GAC Systems require proper installation and periodic maintenance. As time goes by the strength of the GAC to remove chemicals become exhausted and the GAC needs to be changed. GAC exchange rate is based on contaminant levels and water usage.
