Analyzing the Reasons for the Rising Demand for Activated Carbon Filters from Pharma and Sugarcane Industries

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Role of activated carbon filters for dechlorination
• Use of activated carbon filters for decolorization of molasses

Of all the water treatment technologies that have been devised over the years, the use of activated carbon can be considered to be the oldest yet one of the most effective methods. Archeological evidence and literary records have shown that activated carbon has been regularly used in ancient India and Egypt to purify water, processed beverages, and medicines. Activated carbon, or activated charcoal, is basically carbon that is processed to increase the surface area so that its adsorption capabilities are enhanced. Specialized chemical processes are used for this procedure to create a matrix of pores in the grains of carbon which then ultimately facilitates the removal of microparticles from water, air, and other substrates. Filters manufactured using such processed carbon particles are called activated carbon filters.

Increasing applicability of activated carbon filter for dechlorination

Activated carbon filters have become one of the most sought filtration systems in different end-use industries like chemical manufacturing, food and beverages, and pharmaceutical sectors. One of the biggest reasons behind the use of activated carbon filters in these sectors is to purify water by removing chlorine traces present in it.

In the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, chlorine ions are regularly due to their disinfectant properties. These ions inhibit the growth of microorganisms which makes the water pure. However, during this process, the chlorine ions that were previously free radicals undergo chemical reactions and form chlorine compounds that are hard to remove from water. In such a scenario, active carbon filters come in as a handy solution; these filters release activated carbon particles which then neutralize the chlorine and chloramine disinfectants by a catalytic duction reaction, thereby making the water supply free from chlorine odor.

For instance, in May 2024, Indcarb Activated Carbon Private Limited, a major filtration systems supplier, announced the launch of inline filters for water purification. These water filtration systems are made from activated carbon particles manufactured using coconut shells. The Coconut Development Board in Kerala assisted the company in developing these filtration systems which have gained a lot of appreciation for their high-quality purification mechanism.

Apart from chlorine removal, these filters are also used to clear and remove organic matter from water bodies. The activated carbon particles, as said earlier, have a large surface area with a matrix of pores present in them. These particles have high adsorption qualities which help in trapping the organic waste particles in them. The pH of water, the chemical makeup of the carbon particles, and the amount of time for which the water is kept in contact with the filters are the factors that impact the purification of these water bodies.

Use of activated carbon filters in the sugar manufacturing industry for de-colorization of molasses

One of the primary reasons behind the increase in the revenue share of the activated carbon filters industry is the huge rise in demand for these filters from the sugar manufacturing industry for the de-colorization of molasses. Molasses is a dark brown, viscous liquid that is a byproduct of the sugarcane manufacturing industry. To make regular sugar out of molasses, it needs to be decolorized which can be done using these filters. For this purpose, carbon particles of different pore volumes are used for efficient filtration.

Activated carbon filters are primarily used for decolorization purposes as the process is much simpler as compared to others, while at the same time being highly effective. The liquid to be decolorized, i.e., molasses is generally heated up to a temperature of 300 °C, and various other chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, alcohols, and other desorption compounds are added. Companies like Carbochem, an activated carbon manufacturing company, have recently launched several products like Carbochem® DC-40 and Carbochem® CA-50S which are specifically designed for decolorization of molasses. Such product launches are expected to augment the growth rate of the industry in the coming period.

To summarize, the activated carbon filters industry is anticipated to experience growth on account of the widespread use of these filters in pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries for dechlorination purposes. Furthermore, the increasing demand for these unique filters from the sugar manufacturing industries for the decolorization of molasses is expected to play a major role in the expansion of this landscape.

 

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