Activated Carbon Media for Water Purifiers Online

What Is Carbon Media / Activated Carbon Media

Carbon media refers to carbon-based adsorbent materials used in filtration systems, primarily activated carbon, which is characterized by its extremely high surface area, porosity, and strong adsorption capacity.

• Activated carbon media is widely used in water treatment, gas purification, chemical purification, and many other industrial and environmental applications.

• The “media” typically refers to granular or powdered carbon packed into a filter bed or cartridge.

• Activated carbon is produced by treating carbon-rich precursors (like coconut shell, coal, wood) under high temperature or with chemical activation to develop a porous structure.

The key to its functionality lies in its micro- and meso-porosity, which provides an enormous internal surface area (hundreds to thousands of m² per gram) for the adsorption of contaminants. 

2. Chemical Uses of Carbon Media (“Carbon Media Chemical Uses”)

Activated carbon (carbon media) has a wide range of chemical uses, thanks to its adsorption capacity and surface chemistry:

1. Water Purification / Treatment

   • It adsorbs organic compounds, pesticides, phenols, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

   • Removes residual chlorine and disinfection by-products, improving taste and odor. 

   • Used to remove heavy metals, such as chromium (VI), from water. 

2. Wastewater Treatment

   • Granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) are used to treat industrial effluents and wastewaters. 

   • PAC in Powdered Activated Carbon Treatment (PACT) helps in reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) by adsorbing recalcitrant organics. 

3. Gas-Phase Adsorption

   • Activated carbon is used to capture volatile organic compounds, solvent vapors, sulfur compounds, and odor in gas-phase treatment processes. 

   • In fluidized-bed concentrators, carbon beads are used to adsorb VOCs from exhaust air. 

4. Chemical Purification

   • In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, activated carbon is used for decolorization, removing impurities, and purification of acids, glycols, amines, and other chemicals. 

   • It also helps remove residual catalytic poisons or by-products in chemical manufacturing.

5. Food & Beverage Applications

   • Activated carbon is used to clarify liquids (like sugar syrups, oils, and alcoholic beverages), remove color, off-flavors, and undesirable organic compounds. 

   • It is also used in decaffeination of coffee and tea and the purification of glycerin or essential oils. 

6. Air Purification

   • Carbon filters in air purifiers adsorb VOCs, odors, and harmful gases. 

   • Impregnated activated carbon (e.g., with silver or metal oxides) can even trap gases like H₂S, formaldehyde, or chlorine. 

7. Regeneration & Reuse

   • Adsorbed carbon can sometimes be regenerated (e.g., thermally or electrochemically) to restore its adsorption capacity. 

   • This is cost-effective in large-scale water treatment or industrial systems where replacement costs are high.

3. Chemical Formula of Carbon Media (“Carbon Media Chemical Formula”)

• Activated carbon is not a single chemical compound but a highly porous form of carbon. Its “formula” is essentially elemental carbon (C).

• The activation process (physical or chemical) creates pores and functional groups (like –OH, –COOH, etc.) on the carbon surface, but the backbone is carbon.

• Because of the surface chemistry, activated carbon can have oxygen-containing surface groups, but these vary by source and activation method.

Thus, at its simplest, the chemical formula is just C, but its behavior is heavily influenced by surface functionalization.

4. Specification of Activated Carbon Filter Media (“Activated Carbon Filter Media Specification”)

When choosing activated carbon media, certain specifications are critical. Here are the common technical parameters:

1. Type / Form

   • Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) — commonly used in fixed beds.

   • Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) — used for dosing in wastewater or polishing.

2. Source Material

   • Coconut shell (hard, microporous) — e.g., Kalpaka brand by AGS Aqua Tech. 

   • Coal-based or bituminous carbon

   • Wood-based carbon

3. Iodine Number

   • Indicates porosity and adsorption capacity; higher iodine number = more micropores.

   • For example, the Kalpaka coconut shell activated carbon has an iodine value of 1150. 

4. Surface Area

   • Activated carbon typically has surface area between 500–3000 m²/g, depending on type. 

5. Moisture Content

   • Acceptable moisture is usually low (e.g., < 4%) to maintain adsorption performance. TradeIndia listing: < 4% for their activated carbon. 

6. Ash Content

   • Ash reduces adsorption capacity; typical values vary. For example, the Bisan Chemicals carbon has ash percentage of around 12–15%. 

7. Particle Size / Mesh

   • Granular carbon is sold in mesh sizes (e.g., 8×16 mesh for coconut shell carbon by AGS). 

   • The particle size distribution influences pressure drop and contact efficiency in filter beds.

8. pH

   • Carbon media may have a neutral to slightly basic pH, depending on the source and activation.

9. Hardness / Attrition / Abrasion Resistance

   • Important for backwashable beds where media is cleaned.

10. Packaging

    • Usually comes in bags (e.g., 25 kg HDPE bags) or large bulk bags (tonne-scale).

    • Example: Radhe Krishna Non-Woven offers activated carbon media in non-woven bag form at ₹65 per m².

5. Carbon Media Chemical Price (“Carbon Media Chemical Price” / “Carbon Media Chemical in India”)

Here is a breakdown of price and cost structures for carbon media (activated carbon) in India and globally:

Prices in India

• Activated Carbon Media (GAC): According to Bisan Chemicals, this is available at ~ ₹ 70.80 / kg for granular activated carbon. 

• Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon: AGS Aqua Tech offers coconut shell activated carbon (Kalpaka brand) at ~ ₹ 325 / kg for certain high-iodine carbon. 

• Charcoal Activated Carbon (Bulk): Dalton Chemicals lists charcoal based activated carbon at ₹ 20 / tonne, likely a lower-grade raw carbon (non-fully activated) for specific industrial uses. 

• Filter Media Carbon (Non-woven): Radhe Krishna Non-Woven sells activated carbon filter media (non-woven) at ₹ 65 per square meter. 

These prices vary depending on quality, iodine value, origin, packaging, and supplier.

Carbon Media Filter Price

• For industrial activated carbon filters (complete housing + media):

  • PureWaterTech (Haryana-based) quotes activated carbon filter systems in the range ₹ 55,000 to ₹ 95,000 per piece, depending on capacity. 

  • Vikas Engineering (Ahmedabad) lists stainless steel activated carbon filters starting at ₹ 1,15,000 for their medium-capacity units. (

  • Novatech Enviro (Mumbai) offers FRP activated carbon filters at ₹ 35,000 for certain flow/size options. 

These are system-level filter prices, not just the media.

6. Carbon Media Bag (“Carbon Media Bag”)

• Packaging: Activated carbon media is commonly supplied in bags — for example, 25 kg HDPE bags are very common for granular carbon. 

• Bulk / Jumbo Bags: For industrial use, carbon media often comes in large bags (e.g., 500 kg or 1 metric ton “big bags”) for filling filter vessels.

• Non-woven / Fabric Bags: Some media is pre-packed in non-woven fabric “media bags” for ease of handling, especially for smaller vessel fills or shipping.

• The bag material must be strong, moisture-resistant, and compatible with transport and storage requirements to prevent contamination or moisture ingress.

7. How Activated Carbon Media Works (Adsorption Mechanism)

• Adsorption: Activated carbon removes contaminants not by chemical reaction but by adsorption — molecules in the fluid (water or air) stick to the internal surface of carbon granules.

• Physisorption: Most adsorption is physical (van der Waals forces), not chemical bonding. This allows carbon to be regenerated under conditions that reverse adsorption.

• Pore Structure: Micropores (<2 nm) and mesopores (2–50 nm) help trap different sizes of molecules. 

• Surface Chemistry: Functional groups on the carbon surface (e.g., carboxyl, hydroxyl) can influence the adsorption of certain chemicals.

• Breakthrough Curve: As the carbon bed adsorbs molecules, it gradually saturates; eventually, contaminants pass through (“breakthrough”), and media must be replaced or regenerated.

8. Applications of Carbon Media in Water Treatment

Here are some of the primary water-treatment applications for activated carbon media:

1. Pre-treatment for RO / Membrane Systems

   • Removes chlorine, organic matter, color, and odors before water enters sensitive RO membranes.

   • Protects membrane life from oxidation or fouling.

2. Dechlorination

   • Chlorine (and chloramine) are adsorbable by activated carbon, improving taste and protecting subsequent filters.

   • Widely used in drinking water systems, swimming pools, and potable water systems.

3. Organic Compound Removal

   • Pesticides, herbicides, phenols, and other organics can be removed using carbon media beds.

   • Helps in industrial wastewater polishing to meet discharge standards.

4. Color / Taste / Odor Correction

   • Removes taste and odor-causing organic compounds (like geosmin, humic substances).

   • Used in beverage industries (juice, wine) to refine clarity and flavor.

5. Heavy Metal Adsorption

   • Though not as efficient as specialized ion-exchange resins, activated carbon still adsorbs certain heavy metals (e.g., chromium VI) under proper conditions. 

6. Regeneration & Reuse

   • Spent carbon can sometimes be regenerated thermally or electrochemically (depending on application) for reuse. 

9. Advantages & Limitations of Activated Carbon Media

Advantages:

• Very high surface area and porosity for adsorption.

• Effective for a broad range of contaminants (organics, chlorine, some metals).

• Chemical-free removal: no added reagents are required for adsorption.

• Can be regenerated in many cases, reducing cost over time.

• Available in various forms (GAC, PAC, coconut shell, coal-based).

• Proven technology: widely used in municipal and industrial water treatment.

Limitations:

• Carbon media has a finite adsorption capacity; after saturation, its performance drops.

• Some contaminants (very small or unadsorbable species) may not be removed by carbon.

• Regeneration (if required) adds complexity, cost, and energy usage.

• Disposal of exhausted activated carbon must be handled properly.

• Adsorption efficiency depends on contact time and flow rate — bed design matters.

• High ash content or low-quality carbon reduces performance.

10. Activated Carbon Media in India

The use and supply of carbon media in India are quite mature, especially given the growing water-treatment infrastructure.

Key Points About Carbon Media Chemical in India:

• Indian firms supply activated carbon based on coconut shell, which is very popular due to its high microporosity. For instance, AGS Aqua Tech’s coconut shell activated carbon (Kalpaka) is ~₹ 325/kg. 

• Local suppliers also offer coal-based activated carbon at very competitive rates — Rohit Traders lists activated carbon filter media at ₹ 18 / kg for GAC. 

• Bulk orders are common: many water treatment plants in India prefer to buy carbon media in large bags to fill their filter beds.

Regulatory & Technical Context in India:

• According to a drinking-water treatment handbook from the Government of India, activated carbon is one of the recommended adsorbent filter media for removing heavy metals like chromium. 

• For industrial and municipal water-treatment plants, proper specification and regular replacement or regeneration of carbon media is key to maintaining water quality.

11. Price Breakdown — Carbon Media Filter Price

When considering the carbon media filter price (i.e., a system + media), there are multiple cost components:

1. Media Cost

   • Activated carbon itself (as discussed): ₹70–₹300+ per kg for different grades.

2. Filter Vessel / Housing

   • For industrial systems, the vessel can be stainless steel, mild steel, or FRP, which significantly adds cost.

   • Example: Activated carbon filter vessel by VEPL in New Delhi costs ~₹ 3.40 lakh for a high-capacity unit.

   • Another manufacturer (Vikas Engineering) lists stainless steel activated carbon filters at ₹ 1.15 lakh for medium capacity. 

3. Piping, Valves, Ancillaries

   • Multiport valves, drain valves, inlet-outlet plumbing, etc., add to total filter system cost.

4. Installation & Commissioning

   • Labour, site work, and testing costs.

5. Replacement / Regeneration Costs

   • How often media needs to be replaced or regenerated will affect ongoing costs.

Therefore, an industrial activated carbon filter (media + vessel + installation) can cost anywhere from ₹ 50,000 to several lakh INR, depending on size and specification.

12. Buying Considerations: How to Choose the Right Carbon Media

When selecting carbon media, here are key factors to evaluate:

1. Type of Contaminant

   • For chlorine, VOCs, taste/odor: typical GAC is fine.

   • For very small organics or certain metals: choose high-iodine or specialized media.

2. Flow Rate & Contact Time

   • Higher flow requires careful bed design (longer contact time, deeper bed) to ensure effective adsorption.

3. Media Grade / Quality

   • Check iodine number, surface area, particle size, hardness, ash content.

   • Validate from supplier with data sheet.

4. Source of Carbon

   • Coconut shell carbon is very efficient (microporous); coal-based carbon is more economical but may have different performance characteristics.

5. Packaging & Handling

   • Media should come in good packaging (moisture-resistant bags).

   • For large plants, bulk bags are more economical.

6. Regeneration or Replacement

   • Decide if you will regenerate spent carbon or replace it.

   • If regenerating, consider regeneration cost (thermal or electrochemical) and logistics.

7. Certifications & Safety

   • For drinking water: food-grade / NSF-certified carbon may be required.

   • For industrial chemical use: check chemical compatibility and safety data sheet (SDS).

8. Supplier & After-Sales Support

   • Reliable suppliers provide technical data, batch analysis, and even regeneration / disposal advice.

13. Regeneration of Carbon Media

Activated carbon can be regenerated (i.e., its adsorption capacity restored) in some applications. Regeneration methods include:

1. Thermal Regeneration

   • Heating spent carbon to high temperatures (in a furnace) to desorb adsorbed contaminants.

   • Effective but energy-intensive, requiring specialized equipment.

2. Electrochemical Regeneration

   • Using an electrical current to remove adsorbed molecules, especially in PAC or GAC. 

   • Useful for wastewater treatment where full regeneration cycles can be automated.

3. Steam Regeneration

   • Steam is used to strip adsorbed species under recovery conditions.

4. Chemical Regeneration

   • Less common due to chemical consumption, but possible for certain adsorbed species.

Regeneration Challenges:

• Not all carbons regenerate equally; pore structure or surface functional groups may degrade.

• Regenerated carbon may have slightly reduced capacity over cycles.

• Handling and transport of spent carbon need safety and environmental compliance.

14. Environmental & Safety Considerations

• Disposal: When carbon media is exhausted (i.e., cannot be regenerated further), it must be disposed of responsibly. Some spent carbon may be classified as hazardous, depending on what it adsorbed.

• Dust: In powdered carbon (PAC), dust can be a health hazard; proper handling (PPE, dust control) is necessary.

• Regeneration Emissions: Thermal regeneration may release volatile contaminants; it requires proper off-gas treatment.

• Leaching: Over time, carbon media may leach some surface-bound compounds; proper system design (like monitoring of breakthrough) is needed.

15. Comparison of Carbon Media Types

Here’s a comparison of common carbon media types and their pros/cons:

16. Real-World Applications & Case Studies

1. Municipal Water Treatment

   • Activated carbon media is used in large water treatment plants to remove natural organics, chlorine, and micropollutants. Multiple-bed carbon filters are common.

2. Industrial Process Water

   • In chemical plants, carbon media is used to purify process liquids, recover solvents, or decolorize intermediates.

3. Drinking Water Purifiers / RO Systems

   • Many domestic RO purifiers or inline filters contain a carbon media stage (GAC) to tackle taste, odor, and disinfection by-products.

4. Wastewater Effluent Polishing

   • After biological treatment, PAC or GAC polishing is used to remove residual organics or micro pollutants.

5. Air Pollution Control

   • Activated carbon beds (fixed or fluidized) absorb VOCs or odorous compounds from exhaust streams.

17. How to Test / Monitor Carbon Media Performance

To ensure your carbon media is still effective:

• Breakthrough Testing: Monitor the outlet water for target contaminants; when the concentration rises, the bed is saturated.

• Pressure Drop: Monitor pressure drop across the bed; high drop indicates clogging, channeling, or fouling.

• Sampling & Analysis: Periodic sampling and lab testing for contaminants (organics, chlorine, metals) can help decide when to replace or regenerate.

• Media Weight / Volume Monitoring: Over time, bed height may reduce or compact; perform bed maintenance or re-grading.

18. Procurement and Supply Chain: Carbon Media in India

• Suppliers in India provide various forms and grades of activated carbon. For instance, AGS Aqua Tech produces coconut shell activated carbon with high iodine value. 

• Dalton Chemicals supplies charcoal activated carbon in bulk (tonne-scale). 

• Radhe Krishna Non-Woven offers activated carbon filter media in non-woven bag format (₹ 65/m²). 

• For system-level procurement, you might choose completed filters or media-only from industrial marketplaces like Romegamart: their carbon media spares category. See the [carbon media page] via the link above.

19. Examples of Carbon Media Products

Here are some sample commercial products / media grades to illustrate:

• Activated Carbon Media (500 kg): Bulk activated carbon, high purity, suitable for industrial water treatment media beds.

• 25 kg PAC (Powdered Activated Carbon) in HDPE Bag: Powdered carbon for dosing in wastewater or polishing systems.

• Akshar Chem 10 kg Activated Carbon Pack: Smaller pack, useful for lab, pilot plants, or replacement media.

• Activated Carbon Filter Media (per kg): Granular carbon media, suitable for refilling filter vessels.

• Odor Control Carbon Pads (Cut-to-fit): Pre-made carbon sheets for air or water filters, useful in point-of-use filters.

• Food-Grade Activated Carbon (Spirit Filtration): High purity carbon for beverage purification, decolorization, or flavor correction.

20. Future Trends & Innovations in Carbon Media

Some emerging trends in carbon media technology:

1. Functionalized / Impregnated Activated Carbon

   • Carbon impregnated with silver, metals, or other chemicals to target specific contaminants (e.g., H₂S, mercury, chlorine). 

2. Sustainable Carbon Sources

   • Increasing use of coconut shell, agricultural waste, and bio-based precursors for low-carbon-footprint carbon media.

3. Regeneration Technologies

   • Continued development in electrochemical regeneration to avoid high-temperature processes. 

4. Nano / High Surface Area Carbons

   • Carbons engineered at the nano/micropore level for extremely high adsorption capacity or selectivity.

5. Smart Adsorption Systems

   • Integration with sensors and control systems to monitor breakthrough and automate media replacement or bed switching.

21. Challenges & Considerations

While carbon media is highly effective, there are some challenges:

• Media Saturation & Replacement: Without proper monitoring, carbon can become saturated and lose effectiveness.

• Cost of High-Grade Carbon: Premium carbon (high iodine, hardwood or coconut shell) can be expensive for large systems.

• Regeneration Cost: Thermal regeneration is energy-intensive; alternative regeneration (electrochemical) may require capital investment.

• Disposal: Spent carbon may contain adsorbed pollutants; disposal must follow environmental regulations.

• Quality Variability: Not all carbon is manufactured the same — batch-to-batch variation can affect performance.

22. Summary & Key Takeaways

• Carbon Media (especially activated carbon media) is a key filtration medium used in water, gas, and chemical purification.

• Chemical uses include removal of organics, VOCs, chlorine, color, taste, and even heavy metals.

• The chemical formula is essentially elemental carbon, but with functional surface groups.

• Important specifications: iodine number, surface area, ash content, moisture, particle size, and hardness.

• Carbon media chemical price in India ranges widely: for example, GAC ~ ₹70.80/kg, coconut shell grade ~ ₹ 300+ / kg.

• Carbon media filter price at the system level varies: industrial filters cost tens of thousands to lakhs of INR. 

• Carbon media bag options include 25 kg HDPE bags, non-woven fabric packaging, and bulk jumbo bags.

• Regeneration of carbon is possible (thermal, electrochemical), improving cost-efficiency.

• Future trends include functionalized carbon, sustainable sources, and smart monitoring.

23. Conclusion

Carbon media, particularly activated carbon, remains one of the most powerful, versatile, and widely used filter media across water treatment, gas purification, chemical processes, and environmental remediation. Whether you are looking for an economical granular carbon to treat municipal water or a high-performance carbon with specialized chemical functionality, understanding the specifications, prices, and uses will empower you to make smarter procurement and design decisions.