Applications

Where our activated carbon works

From municipal water to gold recovery circuits, each application calls for a carbon matched to its chemistry, flow and operating conditions.

Jump to

Eight industries, one coconut shell carbon partner

Application01

Water & Wastewater Treatment

Aerial view of water treatment tanks

Activated carbon is used in suitable treatment systems to reduce selected organic compounds, colour, taste and odour. It can form part of municipal, commercial and industrial water-treatment processes.

Typical applications

  • Industrial process-water treatment
  • Wastewater polishing
  • Colour, taste and odour reduction

Product consideration: GAC or PAC, depending on system design and treatment needs.

Application02

Air & Gas Purification

Industrial air handling equipment

Selected activated carbon grades can adsorb certain vapours, odour-causing compounds and volatile organic compounds from air or gas streams.

Typical applications

  • Industrial ventilation and odour control
  • Vapour treatment
  • Process exhaust-air treatment

Product consideration: Pelletized, granular or impregnated carbon, as appropriate.

Application03

Gold Recovery

Open pit gold mine

Specially selected activated carbon is used in certain gold-processing circuits to adsorb dissolved gold complexes from process solutions.

Typical applications

  • Gold adsorption circuits
  • Precious-metal recovery processes
  • Carbon selection for process-specific conditions

Product consideration: Use grades with specifications appropriate to the recovery circuit.

Process applications

I.CIP

Carbon-in-Pulp

Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) is a gold-recovery process in which activated carbon is introduced into a slurry after the gold has been leached from the ore. As the pulp passes through a series of adsorption tanks, dissolved gold complexes are adsorbed onto the activated carbon.

For CIP operations, activated carbon should be selected with attention to adsorption capacity, particle-size distribution, hardness and resistance to abrasion. These characteristics help support carbon retention, effective separation from the slurry and dependable operation across adsorption stages.

II.CIL

Carbon-in-Leach

Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) combines gold leaching and activated-carbon adsorption in the same process tanks. As gold dissolves from the ore under suitable leaching conditions, activated carbon adsorbs the dissolved gold complexes from the slurry.

The carbon used in CIL circuits must perform under demanding process conditions while maintaining suitable adsorption characteristics and physical durability. Appropriate carbon selection can help support stable operation and effective gold recovery throughout the circuit.

III.CIC

Carbon-in-Column

Carbon-in-Column (CIC) is used to recover dissolved gold from suitable process solutions by passing the solution through vessels containing activated carbon. The dissolved gold complexes are adsorbed onto the carbon as the solution flows through the column system.

CIC applications require carbon with suitable adsorption properties, particle size and physical integrity to support effective solution contact, manageable pressure drop and reliable operation. Carbon selection should be matched to the solution characteristics and the design of the column circuit.

Application04

Food & Beverage Processing

Glass bottles on a beverage production line

Appropriately specified activated carbon can be used in selected processing operations to reduce colour and certain unwanted organic compounds in liquids and ingredients.

Typical applications

  • Liquid decolourisation
  • Selected ingredient purification
  • Process-liquid treatment

Product consideration: Confirm food-contact suitability and applicable regulatory requirements.

Application05

Chemical & Industrial Processing

Chemical processing plant

In selected industrial processes, activated carbon helps adsorb specified impurities and supports purification of process liquids, intermediates and other streams.

Typical applications

  • Chemical purification
  • Process-liquid treatment
  • Selected industrial filtration systems

Product consideration: Selection depends on chemistry, temperature and contaminant profile.

Application06

Medical & Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical tablets

Specialised activated carbon is used in certain pharmaceutical processing and medical-related applications for purification or adsorption. Intended use determines the required purity, testing and regulatory controls.

Typical applications

  • Selected pharmaceutical processing
  • Ingredient purification
  • Specific medical-related applications

Product consideration: Confirm grade, validation, intended use and applicable regulatory requirements.

Application07

Automotive

Car engine bay

Activated carbon is used in selected automotive filtration components to adsorb certain vapours and odours. Product properties depend on component design and the specific performance requirements.

Typical applications

  • Cabin-air filtration
  • Odour reduction
  • Evaporative-emission control systems

Product consideration: Confirm compatibility with the component, applicable specifications and test requirements.

Application08

Personal Protective Equipment

Person wearing a respirator mask

Appropriately designed activated-carbon media can be used in certain respiratory protective equipment to help capture specified gases and vapours. Suitability depends on the contaminant and certified system design.

Typical applications

  • Respirator filter cartridges
  • Gas-filtering protective masks
  • Specialised protective filtration systems

Product consideration: Protective equipment must be selected and validated for the specific hazard and relevant standards.

Technical support

Need a technical datasheet or help choosing a grade?

Request a datasheetView Products