How does the activated carbon filter purify water with its unique pore structure

In today's pursuit of high-quality life, clean and safe drinking water has become a basic need for every family. As an efficient and environmentally friendly water treatment device, the activated carbon filter plays an irreplaceable role in the field of water purification with its unique pore structure. This article will explore in depth how the activated carbon filter achieves water purification through its porous structure.

1. Pore structure of activated carbon filter
The core of the activated carbon filter lies in its highly developed internal pore structure. These pores are formed during the preparation of activated carbon through processes such as carbonization and activation. Their size, shape and distribution vary depending on the preparation raw materials and processes. According to the classification of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the pores of activated carbon are mainly divided into three categories: macropores (pore size greater than 50nm), mesopores (pore size 2~50nm) and micropores (pore size less than 2nm).

Macropores: Although macropores account for a small proportion of activated carbon, they play a decisive role in the adsorption rate as a pathway for adsorbate molecules.
Mesopores: Mesopores not only serve as pathways for adsorbates, but can also adsorb some macromolecular substances that cannot enter micropores.
Micropores: The adsorption of activated carbon mainly depends on micropores, which determine the adsorption capacity of activated carbon. Micropores have a large specific surface area, which enables activated carbon to adsorb and lock a large amount of impurities and harmful substances.
2. Purification principle of activated carbon filter element
The purification process of activated carbon filter element mainly depends on its physical adsorption and chemical adsorption capacity.

Physical adsorption: The porous structure of activated carbon gives it a large specific surface area, which can adsorb suspended matter, colloids, pigments, residual chlorine and other impurities in water like a magnet, thereby improving the taste and appearance of water.
Chemical adsorption: In addition to physical adsorption, activated carbon also has excellent chemical adsorption capacity, which can remove organic pollutants in water, such as pesticide residues, harmful chemicals in industrial wastewater, and microbial contamination. These organic pollutants are usually difficult to remove by simple filtration or precipitation, and the strong adsorption capacity of activated carbon can effectively remove these harmful substances from water.
3. Practical application of activated carbon filter element
In household drinking water equipment, activated carbon filter element plays a pivotal role. It can remove odor, color, heavy metal ions, polymer compounds and radioactive substances in water, and provide safe and healthy drinking water for families. In addition, activated carbon filter elements are also widely used in the purification of process water and solutions in the fields of semiconductors, electronic devices, printed circuit boards, electroplating industry, food and beverage industry, etc.

4. Maintenance and replacement of activated carbon filter element
Although the activated carbon filter element has high purification capacity, its adsorption capacity will gradually decrease over time. Therefore, regular replacement of activated carbon filter elements is a necessary measure to ensure water quality safety. Consumers should maintain the habit of regular inspection and maintenance, and replace saturated activated carbon filter elements in time to better ensure the safety of drinking water for their families.