Carbon filters are an excellent choice for the removal of chlorine, taste and odour, or organics in water. Carbon filters for water filtration are produced by grinding up a carbon source which could be based on coconut, coal, or wood.

Carbon filters remove contaminants through adsorption.  Adsorption means that contaminants are attracted to the surface of the activated carbon and held to it, much the same way a magnet attracts and holds iron fillings.

There are two main types of carbon water filters. These are the carbon block filter and the granular activated carbon filter (GAC).

1. Carbon Block Filters – Carbon block filters are made of a solid block of compressed carbon and are often used as a pre-filter in reverse osmosis and other water filtration systems. Water will generally flow slower during this filtration stage due to the compact nature of the compressed carbon. Carbon block water filters are extremely effective in filtering out a variety of contaminants including chlorine, sediments as well as pesticides, and heavy metals.

2. GAC Filters – The granular activated carbon or GAC water filter is made of loose carbon granules. Water flows more freely through this stage, so flow rates are higher for GAC filters than carbon block filters. GAC filters also have very high adsorption properties and can remove contaminants including chlorine, volatile organic compounds pesticides, hydrogen sulphide, nitrates and much more.

Many water filter systems use both carbon block & GAC filters in the water filtration process.

Celtic Water Solutions supplies a wide range of carbon filters which can be used in reverse osmosis water filtration systems or 10” or 20” filter housings.