The Biggest PROBLEMS With Granular Activated Carbon Filtration
The Biggest Problems With Granular Activated Carbon Filtration
GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), a water-cleaning material, effectively captures germs and chemicals.
However, it has limitations in dealing with heavy metals and minerals in water.
GAC is highly effective against organic compounds and some chemicals, but its efficiency in addressing minerals and metals may be insufficient for comprehensive water purification.
Additionally, the effectiveness of GAC can diminish over time, requiring regular filter cartridge replacements to maintain optimal filtration performance.
AquaTru Water Filter | Berkey Water Filter |
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| - Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99% | - Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8% |
| Available in 1-size only. | Available in various sizes. |
| Plastic materials. | Metal & plastic materials. |
| Number of filters: 3 | Number of filters: 2 - 4 |
| Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters. | Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters |
| 4-stage filter process. | 2-stage filter process. |
| Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts. | 2.25 Gallons |
| 45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm | 19" High x 8.5" Diameter |
| System: 1 year limited warranty. | Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year. |
| Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru). | Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results |
| SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK  | SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale |
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What is Granular Activated Carbon?
All forms of GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) comes from organic materials with a high natural carbon content. For instance wood or coal that go under a lot of heat pressure with little or no oxygen.
This removes water and contaminants without allowing the material to burn. The result is char or charcoal.
Meanwhile activated carbon itself comes from a variety of chemical and physical processing techniques to greatly increase its surface area and create a network of submicroscopic pores.
The final product, known as activated carbon, has a remarkable ability to attract and bind a variety of compounds.
Activated carbon plus other chemicals can improve its ability to bind to specific compounds.
This basically means that GAC is very good at attracting all the impurities away from your water. This leaves you with fresh pure, clean drinking water.
Granular activated carbon is a highly porous adsorption material produced by heating organic material, such as coal, wood and coconut shell.
This is done in the absence of air or oxygen. The resulting products are then crushed to form granules.
Activated carbon has a positive charge and therefore, is capable of eliminating negative ions from water.
However, you should also note that it is not effective in the removal of heavy metals.
How Does Granular Activated Carbon Work
The process works through the so-called adsorption process.
After absorption, the compounds are evenly distributed throughout the absorbent product, like a sponge that absorbs water. However, after adsorption, the compounds only bind to the molecules on the surface and produce a film.
Of course, carbon molecules are attractive. That is, actively seek other molecules to connect.
The immense surface and the very porous nature of the activated carbon allow the adsorbed compounds to penetrate completely into the material and find all available junctions.
There are also chemical reactions that convert some offensive compounds into less disturbing variations. Although activated carbon is not effective against all compounds, it has the ability to combine with compounds in all three phases: liquid, solid and gaseous.
Granular Activated Carbon vs Powdered Activated Carbon
This is a complicated question. But, in simple terms, the biggest difference is in the structure.
Powdered activated carbon is in a powder form. While granular activated carbon is often slightly larger grains.
Granular Activated Carbon Filter Design
Granular activated carbon are useful for a variety of applications. Depending on the size you choose and whether you use GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) or EAC (Extruded Activated Carbon).
Both forms have a high diffusion rate and are particularly good at adsorbing vapors and gases.
GAC is useful in water treatment and deodorization applications. While EAC is ideal for gaseous phase applications due to its low dust content.
Granulated activated carbon can eliminate most, if not all, organic compounds.
However, it is a poor choice for most inorganic compounds, which are normally in ionized form in water, creating strong bonds that are difficult to break granular activated carbon.
Several impregnations are available to improve the ability of the GAC or EAC to adsorb these compounds.
Choosing the correct form of activated carbon can be complex.
Even if you have limited your preference for GAC or EAC. It is important to choose the size that best suits the connections you want to eliminate.
Hiring a professional plumber is the best way to make sure you buy the right product for you.
Granular Activated Carbon Suppliers
Dedicated granular activated carbon suppliers are pretty thin on the ground. And by that I mean companies that only supply this product.
However, you can try businesses that specialize in water filter products like Aquasana.
Or though online stores like Amazon and eBay.
Granular Activated Carbon Water Filter Reviews
- Home Master CFKDF85GCC-20BB Granular Catalytic Carbon KDF85 Filter
- GAC Carbon Water Filter 20″ x 2.5″
1. Home Master CFKDF85GCC-20BB Granular Catalytic Carbon KDF85 Filter
The Home Master CFKDF85GCC-20BB is a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter that adsorbs and eliminates bad taste and odors.
It also removes a wide variety of organic pollutants from your water. 
These include pollutants like chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, trihalomethanes and many other chemicals.
This replacement filter firs the Home Master Model. It fits all Home Master Whole House filtration systems
Here are the best features you should know about:
Catalytic carbon removes chloramines.
3 pounds. KDF85 media for high performance filtration.
95,000 gallons typical life cycle.
Maximum flow rate of 10 gpm.
Made in the United States.
Any Issues?
The filter can not treat microbially unsafe or non-potable water without proper disinfection before and after the appliance. 
2. GAC Carbon Water Filter 20″ x 2.5″
You can also get a 20″ x 2.5″ GAC carbon water filter for this device. It will be enough to filter the water in your whole house. Here are some features you should know about. 
- This 4 GAC filter, size 2.5 “x 20” fits any standard 20-inch box.
- All filters come in their own individual packs to provide freshness and protection during transportation and delivery.
- The granulated activated carbon (GAC) filter adsorbs and eliminates bad taste and odors.
- It is also able to filter out a wide variety of organic pollutants. Pollutants such as chlorine, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, trihalomethanes and many other types of chemicals.
Granular Activated Carbon Price?
A basic whole house GAC filter costs around $350-$500 and replacement filter cartridges costs approximately $15-$35. These prices are incredibly low when you look at the costs of other whole house filter methods.
Why Is Granular Activated Carbon A Good Option?
Granular activated carbon is one of the best ways to purify water.
This is because it is completely natural and does this without harsh chemicals or expensive machines.
They are also very cost effective.
Activated carbon filters are some of the most affordable on the market and hence, used in most water filters.
Understanding the basic principles of how activated carbon filters work will help you use the technology with greater reliability and with more efficiency.
AquaTru Converts CocaCola Into Clean Drinking Water
AquaTru Water Filter | Berkey Water Filter |
| |
| - Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99% | - Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8% |
| Available in 1-size only. | Available in various sizes. |
| Plastic materials. | Metal & plastic materials. |
| Number of filters: 3 | Number of filters: 2 - 4 |
| Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters. | Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters |
| 4-stage filter process. | 2-stage filter process. |
| Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts. | 2.25 Gallons |
| 45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm | 19" High x 8.5" Diameter |
| System: 1 year limited warranty. | Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year. |
| Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru). | Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results |
| SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK | SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale |
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