How is activated carbon produced?

Activated charcoal has been known for centuries as a natural detoxifier. It helps to purify water and fight against poisoning thanks to its ability to adsorb dangerous molecules. It is sold in pharmacies, drugstores and organic stores in various forms: powder, lozenges, granules, capsules and tablets. Activated charcoal has many benefits, but where does it come from and how is it produced? Find out the answers in this article. Where does activated carbon come from? The origin of activated carbon dates back to antiquity when it was necessary to produce hard carbon to ensure the melting of bronze and copper. Its absorbency was later discovered, so it was used to filter water and purify the air. Hippocrates, the “father of medicine” used it for medicinal purposes. It is produced from organic plant materials such as coconut husks, hard coal, olive pits, wood, peat and lignite. Binchotan is an activated charcoal produced from Japanese oak wood. It is produced in southern Japan and is used in barbecues and grills. Its great advantage is that it does not produce smoke in addition to giving a special flavor to “yakitoris”, Japanese skewers. Do not hesitate to visit various sites to learn more about this natural product, especially if you want to get some. In the 1800s, activated charcoal was proven to be a universal antidote, but this was only proven in 1984. Today, activated charcoal is used even to purify swimming pools and hospitals. It is also used to detoxify the body. How is Binchotan activated carbon produced? Activated carbon is generally produced in two stages. First, there is carbonization of the plant material and secondly its activation which can be done physically or chemically. The plant material is the wood of Japanese oak in the case of Binchotan. The oak wood is first dried and cut into logs before undergoing the manufacturing process. Physical activation As regards the first step, the oak wood undergoes calcination at high temperature, around 400 ° C for a few days. This pyrolysis process creates porosity in the carbon. Alveoli are then produced in the carbon by volatilization of the calcined elements. For the physical activation of the carbon, there is a second carbonization at over 1200 ° C. This powerful carbonization makes it possible to rid the charcoal of the tars which are in the pores, thus increasing its porosity. This is how charcoal acquires its adsorption capacity. It is therefore active from that moment on and can be used. The Binchotan then undergoes rapid cooling with a mixture of ash, sand and water. It then takes on a white and silver tint. Chemical activation Chemical activation is the use of chemicals such as hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid. It takes place under inert gas at a fairly low temperature, between 400 ° C and 600 ° C after its impregnation in the chemical solution. This use of chemicals causes reactions that counteract the pyrolysis thus allowing to reduce the loss of mass which is quite important during the physical activation. Another advantage of chemical activation is that the activated carbon obtained is much more resistant with better porosity. On average, Binchotan charcoal is active for six months. The mode of production of black activated carbon is much simpler, because it is done in a single step which is carbonization at 700 ° C. Here is the essential to know about activated carbon, its origin, its use and its mode of production. You can also use it to filter and purify your drinking water or to detoxify your body.