Water treatment
Activated carbon filtration systems
Activated carbon filters that adsorb chlorine, odour, colour and organic compounds from water, commonly installed ahead of RO membranes and in process and municipal treatment trains.
Overview
Activated carbon has a very large internal surface area that holds dissolved organics and free chlorine by adsorption. In treatment plants it is used as a granular bed in a pressure vessel, usually after a sand filter, and is backwashed periodically to remove trapped fines. Carbon block and powdered carbon formats are used in cartridge and batch applications, and impregnated carbons are available for specialised duties.
Carbon may be coconut-shell, coal or wood based. Each has a different pore structure, hardness and suitability for particular contaminants, so the grade is matched to the duty.
Selecting an activated carbon filter
Consider what needs removing (chlorine, odour, colour or specific organics), flow rate and contact time, and feed turbidity, since suspended solids shorten carbon life. The carbon type and vessel size follow from these. Ask how exhausted carbon will be replaced, and whether a chlorine-free outlet is critical for downstream RO membranes.
Range overview
- Types and variants
- Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filter
- Carbon Block Filter
- Powdered Activated Carbon
- Impregnated Carbon (Silver or Iodine)
- Materials and grades
- Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon
- Coal-Based Activated Carbon
- Wood-Based Activated Carbon
- Features
- Customisable Vessel Sizes
- Backwashable Granular Bed
- Replaceable Media
Exact specifications depend on the variant, material and size. Confirm ratings and certification against the datasheet or with our engineers before ordering.
Applications
- RO Pre-Treatment
- Dechlorination
- Odour and Colour Removal
- Industrial Process Water
- Municipal Water Treatment
Industries
- Food and beverage
- Hospitality
- Chemical
- Municipal
Information that speeds up a quotation
Share what you know. Anything you are unsure of can be marked “not known” — our engineers will help confirm it.
- Feed source
- Flow
- Inlet analysis
- Outlet target
- Recovery
- Site
- Power
- Disposal
- OPEX
Need a datasheet?
Add this family to your enquiry list and mention the variant — we will send the relevant technical documents.
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Frequently asked questions
How often does activated carbon need replacing?
Source guidance gives six to twelve months for water filters, but the real interval depends on chlorine and organic load, flow and how well upstream filters remove suspended solids. Monitoring outlet chlorine or odour is the practical way to judge exhaustion, particularly where the filter protects RO membranes that are sensitive to chlorine.
Which carbon type should I use?
Coconut-shell carbon has a fine pore structure and is widely used for dechlorination and taste and odour removal. Coal-based carbons have a wider pore range and can suit larger organic molecules. Wood-based carbons are often used for decolourising. Share your water analysis and the contaminants of concern so the grade can be matched.
Ready to specify activated carbon filtration systems?
Send the details you have — quantities, sizes, drawings or a part number. Unknowns are fine.