Both Powdered activated carbon(PAC carbon) and Granular activated carbon(GAC carbon) are very common in activated carbon but there is a lot of differences.
Firstly, for appearance, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon for water treatment. 65-95% of powdered activated carbon can pass through a 325-mesh sieve (44㎡), and more than 90% can pass a 200-mesh sieve, and its density is between 0.36-074g/cm.
 
In water treatment process, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon plays different roles. Usually powdered activated carbon is only used to decolor, and deodorize. The dosage is generally 2-15mg/L. The granular activated carbon can be used in more field but not to decolor and deodorize. Because producing process between PAC and GAC is not the same. Normally we will add tar into powered activated carbon. It means that we cannot use granular to decolor and deodorize.
 
Powdered activated carbon has the advantages of shorter adsorption cycle time, simpler dosing method, lower cost, and the ability to change the carbon type at any time according to the water pollution situation, which makes its application in the water treatment industry continue to expand at home and abroad.
 
Foreign countries use powdered activated carbon to remove organic matter, color, and odor substances in water. It has achieved successful experience and good removal effect. Moreover, powdered activated carbon equipment has low investment. The price is relatively cheap, the adsorption speed is fast, and it is suitable for short-term and sudden water quality. Pollution adaptability is strong.
 
Granular activated carbon is used for advanced treatment of drinking water, and is usually used in combination with sand filters, and is widely used in water plants. Used in solvent recovery, organic gas adsorption, catalyst carrier, etc.; the application of powdered carbon is relatively narrow, and it is generally used in the fields of decolorization, purification, and catalyst carrier.
The size of activated carbon particles also affects the adsorption capacity. We all know that the smaller the activated carbon particles, the larger the filtration area. Powdered activated carbon has the largest total area of activated carbon and has the best adsorption effect, but powdered activated carbon can easily flow into the aquarium with water, which is difficult to control and is rarely used.
 
However, granular activated carbon is not easy to flow due to particle formation, and impurities such as organic matter in the water are not easily blocked in the activated carbon filter layer. Its adsorption capacity is strong and it is convenient to carry and replace.
 
In general, both powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon can be used for water treatment. The final choice to use powdered charcoal or granular charcoal, and which method of use is used, depends on the specific conditions such as the quality of the raw water and the current status of the water plant.
In conclusion, Powdered activated carbon is specially used for decolorization and deodorization. When we need decolorization and deodorization, powdered carbon is the only choice. Granular carbon is a better choice in other application scenarios other than decolorization and deodorization.