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Just like carbon block, GAC filters can remove large swaths of organic and inorganic contaminants. Coconuts are also considered a more renewable carbon source than other carbon sources, and coconut shell carbon provides a more consistent water filtration experience. Incidentally, carbon block filters can be constructed using any of these materials as well.Ĭoconut shells are particularly popular because they have 50% more micropores than other options, leading to a greater surface area and more adsorption. GAC filters use a variety of media, including coconut shells, coal, and wood, to filter water. These carbon filters are particularly good at removing organic chemicals from drinking water.Īll GAC filters use carbon, but the carbon may come from different sources depending on the filter. When it comes to contaminants like chlorine, GAC filters get the job done. 84 mm in GAC filters.Ī GAC water filter uses carbon to remove some bad odors, tastes, and sediment from tap water with high efficiency. Similar to carbon block filters in function but different in form and features, GAC filters use a bed of granulated carbon to remove impurities. What is a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filter?
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Let’s dig into the differences and examine which may be better for you. Among these carbon water filters, there are two common types: carbon block, and granular activated carbon (GAC). Zooming out a bit, let’s compare two different types of activated carbon water filters. Whether you choose a compressed or extruded carbon block filter, you’re making a great investment in healthy drinking water. Compressed carbon block filters are also more expensive. Because of the high heat involved, highly porous binding agents are used to make compressed carbon block filters, making them ideal water filters. Extruded carbon block filters are heated, die-cast, extruded (hence the name), and cut to size.Ĭarbon compression is the more labor-intensive of the two processes, and not surprisingly, yields the higher quality results. Compressed carbon block filters are constructed individually at high heats using a mold. The difference is in how these filters are created. Both carbon filter types are actually a mix of carbon, mixed media, and a binding element. The two most common types of carbon block filters are compressed and extruded. What are the types of Carbon Block Filters? This process is known as physical adsorption. The carbon block itself, in conjunction with physical molecular binders, can also attract particles of different sizes from your drinking water. As water passes through the outside layer of the filter, this layer acquires a positive ionic charge, thus attracting negatively-charged contaminant molecules. Electrokinetic adsorption is more technical. Think of it like a strainer: small water particles pass through while larger contaminant particles get held back.
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The mechanical filtration process is all about particle size. Water filtration using a carbon block may seem like a straightforward process, but there are actually several ways to do it, including: These carbon filters can be used in combination with other technologies like reverse osmosis, or used on their own. A carbon block filter acts like a magnet microscopic contaminants like PFAS are filtered out while clean water passes through. What is a Carbon Block Water Filter?Ī solid carbon block water filter is just that, a block of finely ground and compressed carbon that water passes through during filtration. One of the additional benefits of this process of filtration is that healthy minerals remain in your water, so you’ll get the most out of every sip. The filter also physically removes sediment and other larger contaminants.īecause activated carbon is highly effective and relatively inexpensive, it is a very popular filter type on the market today. These contaminant molecules bond with the carbon, and clean drinking water flows through the other side of the filter and into your pitcher. In scientific terms, the positive ionic charges in the carbon attract the negative ionic charges of contaminant particles. During adsorption, molecules of contaminants are attracted to the molecular structure and large surface area of the carbon. When drinking water passes through this type of filter, a process called adsorption happens. What is an Activated Carbon Water Filter?Īctivated carbon is a highly porous material that has a microscopic graphite lattice structure. We’ll discuss what these filters are, what they do, and how they stack up against other water filters. Have you been shopping around for the right filter for your drinking water? In this article, we’ll spotlight one popular water filtration solution: carbon block filters.
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