Advice on appropriate filtration solutions, and inspection of existing systems is available, and ACF engineers are qualified to assess prevailing contaminant emission levels in order to determine the relative carbon system configuration. Independent evaluations by approved laboratories can also be arranged where this is a requirement.

Active Carbon Filters Ltd do not confine themselves to manufacturing range of off-the-shelf products for HEVAC applications.

A full customer service is available, which includes:
	Inspection of existing systems.
	Assesment of prevaling contaminant emission levels to determine the relevant carbon system configuration.
	Advice on appropriate filtration solutions.
	Independant evaluations by approved laboratories.
	Design and build facility to develop solutions tailored to the clients specifciation.
A broad selection of carbon product - as base or impregnated - is readily available in variuos weights, densities, thickness and grades to suit performance and required applications. These include:
	Loose granular carbon
	Bonded carbon biscuits
	Carbon impregnated paper
	Carbon impregnated fibre
	Pleated granular carbon mat
Data sheets on raw carbon product are available upon request.

Activated carbon can be manufactured from many forms of carbonaceous materials, the most common being coal or coconut-shell. The raw material is first processed to produce a char. The activation process involves heating the char to 800oC - 1000oC in an atmosphere of steam.

Base carbon is pure carbon activated to give it its micro-pore structure. Specially impregnated carbons have an increased ability for absorption of inorganic contaminants in the vapour phase. For instance, SO2 is more readily adsorbed onto activated carbon impregnated with copper than onto a base carbon.

How Does It Work?
The activation process results in the carbon developing an extremely high internal surface area through a network of pores within each granule.

The carbon surface attracts contaminant molecules, which are then held firm by Van der Vaal`s forces. This process of physisorption means that many different compounds can be adsorbed onto the carbon.

The applications for Active Carbon Filters may be divided into two phases, vapour and liquid:

Vapour Phase Applications
In the industrial sector activated carbon filters are used to remove: flux fumes that arise from soldering operations, pollutants generated in weld-fume cabinets, and UV genrated ozone arising from printing processes.

Mercury fumes, sulpher dioxide (a major cause of acid rain) and nitrogen oxide (a major cause of air pollution) can all be effectively removed if the air is allowed to pass through activated carbon filters.

Drivers in their vehicle cabins are protected from a range of pollutants via activated carbon filters.

In bars and restaurants their insertion into aircleaning units help to remove the odour and gaseous elements found in environmental tobacco smoke. Widespread use of activated carbon filters in heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry ensures that the influx of external gaseous pollutants, or expulsion of potentially dangerous gases, is minimised.

The military and nuclear power industry use activated carbon in respirators and clothing to protect their employees, and in mechanical ventilation systems to protect us all.

Museums and art galleries protect theri exibits with the aid of activated carbon filters.

In the home they are found in every day objects such as vacuum cleaners and cooker hoods.

Liquid Phase Applications
The importance of activated carbon in liquid phase applications is growing as industry seeks effective but inexpensive solutions to enable it to comply with environmental legislation which demands cleaner discharges from factories.

Activated carbon is now used in a broad range of liquid phase applications, from purifying water to effluent, treatment. Its ability to remove hydrocarbons, surfacants and colour from effluent streams makes the water suitable for discharge or, in some cases, for re-use.