Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
Granular activated carbon, also known as GAC, is a porous carbon media used in fixed bed filters, adsorption columns, and continuous treatment systems. SorbiTech™ Group supplies granular activated carbon grades for liquid phase and gas phase applications where contact time, flow control, pressure drop, and product specification are critical to process performance.
Activated Carbon Dubai is the regional supply and support arm of SorbiTech™ Group for the UAE, GCC, and the wider Middle East. From our warehouse in Dubai, we supply granular activated carbon, also referred to as GAC, granulated activated carbon, carbon granules, or granular charcoal, to industrial buyers who need the quality of a worldwide manufacturer combined with the responsiveness of a regional partner. Our GAC grades are produced from coconut shell, coal, wood, and palm kernel shell raw materials to suit water treatment, gas purification, gold recovery, and other adsorption applications across the region.
How Granular Activated Carbon Works
GAC works through a process called adsorption. As water or gas passes through a bed of carbon granules, small contaminants stick to the inside surface of each granule. Every gram of GAC has a very large internal surface area, usually between 900 and 1200 square meters. That is why even a small amount of carbon can remove a large volume of impurities.
The particle size, from 0.5 to 4.0 mm, gives GAC the right balance of contact time and flow. Water and gas can move through the bed without high pressure loss, while still spending enough time in contact with the carbon. This is why GAC is the standard choice for continuous fixed bed filtration systems used in drinking water plants, wastewater treatment, biogas, and solvent recovery.
Granular Activated Carbon Specifications
Every SorbiTech granular activated carbon grade is supplied with a full technical datasheet. The main specifications for the standard GAC range are summarized in the table below. Custom grades outside these ranges can be supplied on request.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Density (kg/m³) | 400 – 550 |
| Iodine Number (mg/g) | 800 – 1400 |
| Ash Content (Wt%) | 1 – 15 |
| Size & Grade | 12×40, 8×30 mesh |
| Moisture As Packed (Wt%) | 1 – 10 |
Special grades, including acid washed and impregnated activated carbon, are also available for pharmaceutical, catalyst, and specialty gas treatment applications.
GAC Compared with Powder and Pellet Carbon
Granular activated carbon is different from powdered activated carbon and pelletized carbon in three simple ways. The table below shows the main differences at a glance.
| Property | Granular (GAC) | Powdered (PAC) | Pelletized |
|---|---|---|---|
| Particle size | 0.5 to 4.0 mm | 5 to 100 microns | 3 to 5 mm cylinder |
| How it is used | Fixed bed, continuous flow | Dosed in tank, batch | Fixed bed, gas phase |
| Reuse and regeneration | Yes, thermal reactivation | No, single use only | Yes, thermal reactivation |
| Pressure drop | Low to medium | Not applicable | Very low |
| Best for | Water and gas continuous systems | Water spike dosing | Gas phase and HVAC |
For most continuous industrial systems, GAC is the right choice. It is durable, has low pressure drop, and can be thermally reactivated when spent.
Applications of GAC Across the UAE and GCC
Activated Carbon Dubai supplies SorbiTech granular activated carbon to a wide range of industries across the Middle East. The table below summarizes the main applications, and each industry name links to the dedicated application page for further reading.
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| Drinking Water | Chlorine, taste, and odor removal before distribution |
| Wastewater | Colour and organic content polishing before discharge |
| Gold Recovery | Carbon in pulp, carbon in leach, and carbon in column circuits |
| VOC Removal | Volatile organic compound abatement from process gas streams |
| Biogas Purification | Hydrogen sulphide and siloxane removal from biogas |
| Edible Oil Refining | Colour, odour, and trace contaminant removal from vegetable oils |
| Beverage and Spirit Clarification | Taste and colour polishing for beverages and spirits |
| Sugar Decolorisation | Decolorisation of sugar syrups and process liquors |
| Industrial Process Water | Cooling tower makeup, boiler feed, and condensate polishing |
| Pharmaceutical Purification | API decolorization and endotoxin removal to USP grade |
| Mercury Capture | Mercury removal from natural gas and flue gas |
| Odour Control | Odour removal from gas streams and air treatment systems |
Why Buy GAC From Activated Carbon Dubai
Activated Carbon Dubai is the SorbiTech Group regional hub for the GCC and Middle East. Every kilogram of granular activated carbon leaving our warehouse in Dubai is manufactured to the same worldwide quality standards that SorbiTech supplies to industrial plants in Europe, Asia, and North America. The difference for buyers in the region is that you work with a regional supplier who understands your process, your paperwork, and your operating environment.
Every batch of GAC is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis linked to the production lot, together with the technical datasheet, safety data sheet, Certificate of Origin, and customs paperwork required for regional import and use. Regional stock held in Dubai supports timely dispatch across the GCC and shorter lead times than are typical when importing from Europe, China, or the United States.
Our regional engineering team supports customers through grade selection, bed sizing, empty bed contact time calculation, and regeneration planning. Whether the project is a municipal water plant in Saudi Arabia, a gold recovery operation in Oman, a biogas facility in the UAE, or an industrial site elsewhere in the GCC, Activated Carbon Dubai combines worldwide manufacturing quality with the regional presence and technical support that industrial buyers need. To request a technical datasheet and a formal quotation for your grade and volume, contact our team using the inquiry form on this page.
Activated carbon by raw material.
Ready to specify Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)?
Backed by SorbiTech™ Group, We supports industrial customers across the UAE, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Jubail, the GCC, Middle East, Asia, and worldwide markets with activated carbon grades selected according to application, particle form, feedstock, and technical specification. Get a detailed quote and technical datasheet within 24 business hours. Our application engineers are ready to recommend the right grade for your specific process conditions.