Plain activated carbon holds molecules physically, in pores — well for solvents and mercaptans, comparatively poorly for small polar gases. Impregnated activated carbon carries a reagent that reacts with the target contaminant instead of merely holding it.
- Form
- Granular · or carried on media we convert
- Base carbon
- Coal-based or coconut-shell
- Impregnation load
- 5–10% by weight
- Grades
- H₃PO₄ (basic gases) · Na₂CO₃ (acid gases)
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We publish no removal efficiency, capacity or breakthrough figure for either grade. We have not measured them under conditions we could hand you, and a number we cannot stand behind is worth less to you than material you can test. Free sample, one time; shipping is not included.
Factory catalogue reference
Full specifications
Two grades, on a coal or coconut-shell base, supplied granular or carried on media we convert into sheet, pad, cartridge or die-cut parts.
- Base carbon
- Coal-based or coconut-shell
- Impregnants offered
- Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄)
- Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃)
- Impregnation load
- 5–10% by weight
- Target — acid grade
- Ammonia, amines, basic gases
- Target — alkaline grade
- H₂S, SO₂, acid gases
- Formats
- Granular · sheet · pad · cartridge
- Die-cut part
Show all specifications
Choosing between the two grades
The rule is chemical, not commercial: an acid impregnant for a basic gas, an alkaline impregnant for an acidic one. Phosphoric acid targets ammonia and the amine family — exactly the molecules plain carbon struggles with, and general nitrogen-group odour. Sodium carbonate targets hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and acid gases generally. Mixed streams usually want a staged build rather than one grade.
Our range is these two. The wider industry also offers potassium hydroxide, sulphur, silver, potassium iodide and permanganate impregnations; we do not produce those and would rather say so than take an enquiry we cannot fill.
More detail
Where it is used
Specified when the target is a small, polar, reactive gas and physical adsorption is not enough.
Buyer questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the specifications on this page.
What is impregnated activated carbon?
Activated carbon treated with a chemical reagent, so it reacts with a target gas instead of only holding it in its pores. Ours carries phosphoric acid or sodium carbonate at 5–10% by weight, on a coal-based or coconut-shell base, and is used where plain carbon adsorbs poorly: ammonia and amines, or hydrogen sulfide and acid gases.
Which impregnated activated carbon removes ammonia?
The phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) grade. An acidic impregnant reacts with basic gases, so it targets ammonia and amines, the molecules plain activated carbon holds poorly.
Which impregnated carbon is used for hydrogen sulfide?
The sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) grade. An alkaline impregnant targets hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and acid gases generally.
Do you offer potassium hydroxide, silver or permanganate impregnated carbon?
No. We produce two grades only: phosphoric acid and sodium carbonate, at 5–10% impregnation by weight on a coal-based or coconut-shell base.
What removal efficiency does impregnated carbon achieve?
We publish no removal efficiency, capacity or breakthrough figure for either grade, because we have not measured them under conditions we could hand you. Performance depends on concentration, humidity, temperature, contact time and bed depth, so we send the grade to test in your own unit.
Tell us the molecule
Performance moves with concentration, humidity, temperature, contact time and bed depth. Send the target gas and the duty, and we send the grade to test in your own unit.
Prefer to send a photo? Message us on WhatsApp — a picture of the part is usually enough to start.
ISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · REACH · RoHS · TSCA · Prop 65 · TDS and SDS on request. Silver impregnation in particular carries US EPA pesticide-registration obligations that a media supplier should not step into casually. See certifications and the factory.
