Impregnated Activated Carbon
Impregnated Activated Carbon is a specialized adsorption media produced by treating activated carbon with selected chemical impregnants to enhance the removal of specific gases and vapors. SorbiTech™ Group supplies impregnated activated carbon grades for air purification and gas treatment applications where conventional activated carbon alone is not sufficient.
Impregnated activated carbon is standard activated carbon treated with reactive chemicals so that it captures target contaminants through both physical adsorption and chemical reaction. This combination lets it hold gases that plain carbon would release under humid or hot conditions, and extends its usable capacity on specific contaminants far beyond what untreated carbon can achieve. SorbiTech™ Group produces impregnated grades at its manufacturing facilities, and Activated Carbon Dubai stocks common formulations at our Dubai warehouse for regional supply across the UAE, GCC, and wider Middle East.
How Impregnation Works
Activated carbon is soaked in a solution of the chosen impregnant, then dried under controlled conditions. The impregnant deposits inside the pore structure without blocking it. When treated carbon meets its target contaminant in a gas or vapour stream, adsorption pulls the molecule into the pore first, and the impregnant then reacts with it chemically, converting it into a stable, non-volatile product held permanently in the carbon.
Impregnant Types and Target Contaminants
| Impregnant | Target Contaminants |
|---|---|
| Sulphur (S) | Mercury (Hg) from natural gas and flue gas |
| Potassium hydroxide (KOH) or caustic | Hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, HCl, mercaptans, acidic vapours |
| Potassium iodide (KI) | Radioactive iodine, hydrogen sulphide, phosphine |
| KI plus TEDA | Nuclear grade methyl iodide capture |
| Silver (Ag) | Bacterial control in air and water treatment |
| Copper and zinc (Cu, Zn) | Hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, phosphine |
| Phosphoric acid | Ammonia (NH3), amines, other basic vapours |
| Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) | Formaldehyde, aldehydes, and other oxidisable compounds |
Substrate Options: Granular or Pelletised
Impregnated carbon can be produced on a granular or a pelletised substrate. Granular impregnated carbon is used in fixed bed columns and mobile filters where quick installation and simple handling matter. Pelletised impregnated carbon is preferred in high volume gas systems where low pressure drop is critical and longer service life offsets the higher unit cost. Powdered carbon is not normally offered in impregnated form, because the fine particle size does not carry impregnant effectively during service.
Specialty Applications
| Industry | Typical Impregnant | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear power | KI or KI plus TEDA | Radioactive iodine capture in reactor building filters |
| Semiconductor and electronics | Copper and zinc | Phosphine, silane, and toxic gas abatement |
| Natural gas processing | Sulphur | Mercury removal upstream of cryogenic units |
| Biogas plants | KOH or copper | Hydrogen sulphide removal before engines and boilers |
| Municipal odour control | KOH | Hydrogen sulphide from sewage and wastewater plants |
| Petrochemical and refinery | KOH | Mercaptan and acid gas control in vent and solvent recovery streams |
| Medical and hospital air | Silver, potassium permanganate | Bacterial control and formaldehyde removal for pharmaceutical facilities |
| Military and defence | Copper, zinc, silver combinations | Broad spectrum gas mask and shelter filtration |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Granular (0.5 to 4.0 mm) or pellet (3 to 5 mm) |
| Base carbon iodine number (mg/g) | 900 to 1100 |
| Impregnant loading (Wt%) | 2 to 20 (depending on impregnant and target) |
| Ash content (Wt%) | 3 to 15 |
| Moisture as packed (Wt%) | 1 to 10 |
| Hardness (%) | ≥ 90 |
Custom Impregnation
Most impregnated carbon projects require a specification tailored to the plant conditions. If your process removes a contaminant that does not match a standard formulation, or if you need a specific impregnant loading, service life, or substrate, SorbiTech Group can produce a custom grade at its manufacturing facilities. A tailored formulation typically requires the target contaminant profile, expected gas flow rate, operating temperature, relative humidity, and target service life between change-outs.
Packaging
- 25 kg bags
- 130 kg drums (sealed, moisture resistant)
- 500 kg jumbo bags
- Custom packaging available for nuclear grade and semiconductor grade shipments
Regional Supply and Custom Production
Standard impregnated carbon grades, including sulphur, KOH, and KI variants, are stocked at our Dubai warehouse for regional dispatch across the UAE, GCC, and neighbouring markets. Nuclear grade, semiconductor grade, and other custom impregnated pellets are produced to order at SorbiTech Group manufacturing facilities and consolidated in Dubai for delivery to the customer site. Every shipment carries the Certificate of Analysis linked to the production batch, the technical datasheet, safety data sheet, and complete customs paperwork required for regional import.
Request a Quote
For impregnated carbon samples, a technical datasheet, or a formal quotation, contact our team using the inquiry form on this page. Include your target contaminant, expected gas flow rate, operating temperature, and preferred substrate (granular or pellet) so we can respond with the correct formulation and quotation.
Activated carbon by raw material.
Ready to specify Impregnated activated carbon?
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.