Coal-based carbon for water treatment
Coal-Based Activated Carbon for Water Treatment: Iodine Value, Hardness and Particle Size Selection Guide
Coal-based activated carbon for water treatment is made from selected coal and activated at high temperature, creating a porous structure that adsorbs colour, taste, odour and dissolved organics. It is supplied as granular carbon for fixed-bed filters and as powdered carbon for short-contact dosing. Iodine value and surface area describe capacity, while hardness and particle size guide bed behaviour. Share your water target, flow and mesh range so a suitable grade can be discussed.
Share your water target, flow and mesh needs; batch values are confirmed before quotation.
- Iodine value
- 500 – 1100 mg/g
- Methylene blue adsorption
- ≥ 90 mg/g
DESCRIPTION
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Coal-based activated carbon is produced from selected coal and activated at high temperature to develop a porous structure. In water treatment, that pore network removes color, taste, odor and a range of dissolved organic compounds. It is commonly supplied as granular or column-grade carbon for fixed-bed filters, and as powdered carbon for batch dosing where contact time is short.
How It Works in Water Treatment
Adsorption happens at the internal surface of the carbon. A well-developed pore structure generally gives more capacity for small organic molecules, while a harder, denser granule holds up better in backwashed beds and repeated thermal reactivation. Iodine value and methylene blue adsorption indicate adsorption capacity, BET surface area describes pore development, and hardness plus bulk density indicate mechanical strength and bed behavior.
What to Confirm Before Selection
Target contaminants and inlet concentration determine whether capacity or selectivity matters most.
Required effluent quality and empty bed contact time set the carbon dose or bed volume.
Particle size must match the filter or column.
Water pH and background organics affect service life and regeneration intervals.
For municipal or industrial polishing, granular coal-based carbon is usually applied in pressure or gravity beds, either as a standalone adsorption stage or after clarification and filtration. Powdered grades are typically dosed into a contact tank and removed downstream. Performance depends on the specific water matrix, so share the treatment objective, water analysis, flow rate or vessel size, preferred form and required particle size so that a suitable grade can be discussed.
SPECIFICATIONS
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Typical series values for water treatment grades. Iodine value, hardness and particle size are key selection points; batch results are confirmed before quotation.
| Iodine value | 500 – 1100 mg/g |
|---|---|
| Methylene blue adsorption | ≥ 90 mg/g |
| BET surface area | 650 – 1000 m²/g |
| CTC adsorption | 35 – 95 % |
| Ash content | 8 – 20 % |
| Moisture | ≤ 8 % |
| Hardness | ≥ 90 % |
| Bulk density | 0.5 – 0.65 g/cm³ |
| pH value | 7 – 11 |
| Particle size | 4 – 40 目 |
ADVANTAGES
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These four points cover what most water treatment buyers compare before requesting a quotation.
Coal Base Suited to Water Treatment Duty
Coal-based carbon develops a pore structure that takes up colour, taste and odour compounds, making it a practical starting point for municipal and industrial water polishing.
Application fit
OUR COMMITMENTS
Six Reasons Industrial Buyers Trust Sanniu Carbon
General steps we follow after receiving an enquiry, so the selection basis is clear before any quotation or order commitment is made.
Enquiry Review for Application and Form
We first review the treatment target, water conditions and required product form together with the buyer, so the selection direction is clear before any offer is made.
Scope of Referenced Specifications Explained
The specifications and documents cited for the grade are explained, including their applicable scope, so the buyer understands exactly which figures and materials they cover.
Batch Indicators and Documents Pre-Trade
Actual batch indicators and the documents that can be provided are confirmed with the buyer before the transaction, rather than assumed from the series reference values.
Packaging and Moisture Protection Confirmed
Packaging specification and moisture protection requirements are checked when the order is confirmed, and the agreed order information governs the shipment that follows.
Price, Quantity, Delivery and Follow-Up by Human Review
Price, available quantity and delivery time are verified manually through a written quotation, and post-delivery questions on use or documents are handled via the agreed channel.
CREDENTIALS
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ISO 9001:2015
Registrati0n No: 06524Q01338R0S
Certificate of Analysis
B-R2409C3836
Certificate of Analysis
Report No. A2260506150101001
Certificate of Analysis
No. 1621112086
Certificate of Analysis
NO.250100320443888
Certificate of Analysis
NO. 1524070087
PACKAGING
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Standard packing formats for coal-based granular carbon, with final details agreed at order confirmation.
25 kg Bag with Inner Liner
A standard export bag with an inner liner that limits moisture contact during storage, suitable for manual filling of smaller filter vessels.
25 kg per bag
Bulk Bags for Larger Vessels
Larger bulk bags reduce handling steps when filling fixed beds or larger tanks, and the liner can be specified for humid shipping routes.
500 kg or 1000 kg
Moisture Protection on Request
Desiccant or vacuum packing can be arranged when the shipping route or storage period calls for stronger moisture protection.
On request
Pallet and Container Loading
Bags are palletised for container loading, and the pallet treatment or fumigation certificate is confirmed against the destination market.
Palletised container loading
Packing Details Agreed with the Order
Bag weight, liner type and pallet arrangement are checked when the order is confirmed, and the agreed order information governs the shipment.
Confirmed per order
PROCESS
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A clear inquiry-to-confirmation path keeps coal-based activated carbon selection tied to your water treatment duty and the batch data you need before ordering.
Share the water treatment duty and target
Tell us the water source, contaminants to remove, flow or batch volume, and the treated-water target so the carbon grade can be matched to the duty.
Confirm form, mesh and handling
State whether you need granular or powdered coal-based carbon, the particle size range, and how the carbon will be dosed, backwashed or replaced in your system.
Review the series specification window
We explain the quoted series ranges, including iodine value, hardness, ash, moisture, bulk density and pH, and which values are typical rather than a fixed batch promise.
Agree the batch data and documents
Before quotation, confirm the batch test items and available documents so the delivered carbon and its paperwork match the specification you approve.
Lock packing and order details
Finalize packaging, moisture protection, quantity and delivery terms in the written order, since price, availability and lead time are confirmed by our team.
DIMENSIONS
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Coal-based activated carbon suits water treatment where consistent hardness, low fines and a balanced pore structure matter. Use these figures to compare options before an inquiry.
Application
Water treatment
Activated carbon selection for water polishing, colour and odour control. Share the water analysis and treatment targets.
Product form
Coal-based granular activated carbon
Granular activated carbon produced from coal, screened to a defined particle size range for fixed beds and continuous water treatment columns.
FAQ
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Common questions from water-treatment buyers comparing coal-based activated carbon grades, indicators and order steps.
What information should I provide so you can recommend a coal-based activated carbon for water treatment?
Share the medium to be treated, the flow rate or concentration, the target treated-water specification, and the required particle size or mesh range. If you already know it, include the iodine value or methylene blue target, ash limits, and whether the bed is fixed or moving. With those details we can narrow the range and confirm the applicable specification plan before quotation.
How do iodine value, methylene blue adsorption and surface area relate to water treatment performance?
These three indicators describe different aspects of adsorption capacity. Iodine value (mg/g) is commonly read as an indication of micropore activity, methylene blue adsorption (mg/g) is associated with mesopore uptake of larger colour molecules, and BET surface area (m²/g) reflects total developed surface. For a given water treatment duty, the useful combination depends on the contaminants present. Coal-based grades offer a balance between hardness and adsorption structure, which suits many municipal and industrial polishing duties.
What is the relationship between particle size, hardness and pressure drop in a water filter bed?
Particle size, expressed in mesh, affects both filtration rate and pressure drop. A finer mesh gives a larger external surface and faster initial uptake, but it can raise pressure drop and shorten backwash cycles. Coarser mesh lowers pressure drop and supports higher flow, with slower kinetics. Hardness (%) indicates resistance to attrition during backwashing and handling; a higher hardness value reduces fines generation and helps maintain a stable bed. Selected particle size must match your vessel and flow, so state your required mesh range.
Can coal-based activated carbon be used for both drinking water and industrial wastewater?
It can be applied across both municipal drinking-water polishing and industrial wastewater treatment. The grade, activation degree and particle size should be matched to the specific duty and to the limit you need to reach. For drinking-water applications, additional requirements often apply to ash, pH and leachable content, so these must be reviewed against your local standard. We discuss the use case first and then confirm which specification and supporting documents apply; no single grade is presented as suitable for every water.
How do you handle sample evaluation and batch specification confirmation?
Evaluation starts with your duty details so we can identify the relevant grade and agreed specification plan. Batch indicators, including iodine value, moisture, ash, hardness and particle size, are confirmed before quotation, and the specification report refers only to the batch concerned. Packing and moisture protection, quantity, price and delivery are confirmed in writing based on the actual order. Sample availability and evaluation quantity are confirmed case by case; nothing is fixed until both sides agree in writing.