Specific applications of Activated carbon:

• Recovery of fuels from synthesis gases like Motor fuel Hydrocarbons, Polymers, Ethylene and etc.
• In gas purification, activated carbon is used to remove undesirable or noxious components like Benzene. It also selectively removes residual Hydrogen Sulphide, Napthalene, Cyanogen compounds, Resins, Gums and Nitrogen Oxides.
• Purification of feed or exhaust air from unhealthy or annoying substances like Hydrogen Sulphide and Carbon Disulphide
• For the fine purification Carbon Dioxide
• Purification of drinking water (5-20 grams of powdered activated carbon can purify about one thousand litres of water in an hour)
• Production of sugars and sweeteners to guarantee a pure end product
• Extensively used in the chemical industry for the manufacture of soaps, detergents and production of nylon
• Gin, Vodka, Whisky and Alcohols for liqueurs are treated with activated carbon to remove fusel oils
• In healthcare, activated carbon is available in the form of tablets and capsules. Highly purified activated carbon has a vital function in the purification of pharmaceuticals. It is used in dialysis apparatus, to purify blood of patients suffering from kidney failure or poisoning
• In purifying waste water, activated carbon gives nature a helping hand. Most of the contamination in the waste water is broken down biologically by micro organisms. Toxic contaminants in the water can upset the biology badly, unless the toxins are made harmless through adsorption onto activated carbon. In this way, sudden peak levels of contamination do not inevitably result in ‘dead’ waste
• In the gas phase application the carbon is used to trap any undesirable gasses such as Xenon, Krypton in the Nuclear Power Plants
• Manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells (Electrode material for Lithium-ion batteries in cellular phones)
• Mining (eg gold recovery)