Iodine
Number - standard
testing done to estimate the surface area of the activated carbon by measuring
iodine adsorption at a given set of standard testing conditions, reported in mg
I2 adsorbed per gram carbon
Surface
Area - amount of surface available for
adsorption for a given mass of carbon, measured using techniques such as BET
nitrogen adsorption; reported in units of m2/g
Product
Density - several
properties available, including apparent density which is the density of the
carbon at maximum packing efficiency, reported in g/cc or lbs/cf
Mesh
Size - measure of particle range of the
granular product, usually reported as a range of sieve openings, such as 12 x
40 for a carbon that passes a 12 mesh screen, but is retained on a 40 mesh
screen with a specification on the amount that can be retained on the larger
opening screen or passing the smaller opening screen; basis is US sieve sizes
Abrasion Number - measure of the ability of the carbon product to resist
attrition; this important property permits one to understand how durable the
activated carbon is in applications where backwashing is required, carbon will be
transferred, or treatment velocities are above average
Ash
Level - a measure of
the non-carbon content of the activated carbon; all base materials have a
certain ash constituency, with the content varying from base material to base
material; for example, coconut shell carbon tends to have more alkali earth
metals, while coal-based carbons have more heavy metals
