Activated carbon filters remove odors mainly by relying on their special physical and chemical properties, as follows:
1. Pore structure adsorption
Activated carbon filters have a complex and rich pore structure, including micropores, mesopores and macropores. When odorous gas or liquid passes through the filter, odor molecules enter these pores.
The micropores have extremely small pore sizes and can effectively adsorb small molecular odor substances such as formaldehyde and benzene. These small molecules can attach to the huge specific surface area within the micropores. Mesopores and macropores provide adsorption space for larger molecular odor substances.
2. Intermolecular force adsorption
There are intermolecular forces between the atoms on the surface of activated carbon and the odor molecules, mainly van der Waals forces. When odor molecules approach the surface of activated carbon, they will be "pulled" toward the activated carbon and attached to it by this force. Moreover, the large amount of activated carbon particles or powder in the activated carbon filter increases the overall adsorption capacity, allowing a large number of odor molecules to be adsorbed.
3. Odor removal in different environments
Air purification: In air filtration scenarios, such as the filtration system of an air purifier or air conditioner, when odorous air passes through the activated carbon filter, the odor molecules diffuse in the pores of the activated carbon driven by the airflow. Because the activated carbon filter is designed with a reasonable air channel, the air can evenly contact the activated carbon, and the odor molecules are continuously adsorbed, thereby effectively purifying the air and removing pet odors, garbage odors, chemical odors, etc.
Water treatment: For water odor removal, when odorous water (such as water with residual chlorine, algae odor, or industrial pollution) passes through the activated carbon filter, the odorous substances in the water are fully in contact with the activated carbon. Because activated carbon has an adsorption affinity for these substances, the odorous substances are gradually adsorbed on the activated carbon, which reduces the odor of the water and improves the quality of the water.
4. Influencing factors
The quality and type of activated carbon have a great influence on the odor removal effect. High-quality activated carbon (such as coconut shell activated carbon) has a large specific surface area, developed pores, and stronger odor removal ability. At the same time, the residence time of odor molecules in the activated carbon filter is also critical. Properly reducing the flow rate can extend the residence time and enhance the odor removal effect.
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