ACF — Activated Carbon Filter

Activated Carbon Filtration — Chlorine & Organics Removal

An Activated Carbon Filter (ACF) uses granular activated carbon (GAC) — typically coconut shell or coal-based — to adsorb chlorine, chloramines, taste, odour, colour, dissolved organics, pesticides and certain heavy metals from water. Chlorine removal is critical before RO membranes as chlorine permanently damages polyamide membrane elements within hours.

Our ACF vessels are identical in construction to MGF vessels but filled with iodine value >900 mg/g coconut shell activated carbon (for drinking water) or coal-based GAC (for industrial colour/TOC removal). Backwash removes carbon fines and biofouling. Carbon replacement is typically 2–3 years depending on organics loading. Combined MGF + ACF skids are available for space-saving installation.

Iodine value >900 mg/g. High microporosity for chlorine, THM and taste/odour removal. Preferred for drinking water. NSF-61 certified grades available.

Higher macroporosity — better for large molecular weight colour bodies, COD, BOD, petroleum hydrocarbons in industrial effluent.

Upflow backwash at 12–18 m/h. Removes accumulated carbon fines and biogrowth. Daily or DP-triggered. Extends carbon service life to 2–3 years.

Catalytic activated carbon (CAC) for chloramine removal — critical for dialysis water and pharmaceutical processing where chloramines pass standard GAC.

Carbon activity tested on-site using iodine number and methylene blue number before media replacement. Lab COA supplied for every batch.

Spent carbon collected and thermally reactivated at 900°C (field service). 85–90% activity recovery. 30–40% cost saving vs fresh carbon.