Acid-washed activated carbon significantly enhances its purification capabilities for organic matter, heavy metals, and odors in water treatment by removing impurities, adjusting pH, and improving adsorption performance.
📌 Background Acid-washed activated carbon is activated carbon treated with acid solutions such as hydrochloric acid or nitric acid, primarily used in water treatment. This process not only improves the purity of activated carbon but also optimizes its surface chemical properties, making it more suitable for water purification scenarios such as drinking water and industrial wastewater.
🧪 Working Principle and Mechanism The high efficiency of acid-washed activated carbon in water treatment stems from the following key mechanisms: Enhanced Physical Adsorption Activated carbon itself has a well-developed pore structure and a large specific surface area (up to 500–1500 m²/g), effectively adsorbing organic pollutants, residual chlorine, pigments, and some heavy metal ions in water. The acid washing process removes ash and inorganic salts from the raw material, exposing more micropores and thus improving adsorption efficiency.
Chemical Property Optimization: Acid washing alters the functional group composition of activated carbon surface, increasing oxygen-containing groups (such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups), thus enhancing its chemical adsorption capacity for polar substances and metal ions. Simultaneously, acid washing reduces alkaline sites, improving stability in acidic or neutral water environments.
Heavy Metal and Ash Removal: Residual iron, lead, cadmium, and other metal oxides in the raw materials can be removed through acid dissolution, reducing the risk of heavy metals in the effluent. For example, the ash content of un-acid-washed coconut shell activated carbon can reach 5%, while after acid washing it can be reduced to <3%, and deep acid washing can even reduce it to below 1%.
pH Adjustment Function: Ordinary activated carbon has a slightly alkaline pH (9–11), which may affect the taste of the effluent; after acid washing, the pH can be controlled between 7–8.5, making it more suitable for drinking water treatment, improving taste and meeting national standards.
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