Reactivating old Carbon can this be possible?

Jyetman · 09/03/2017, 10:07 PM

Why Wouldn't this also work with activated carbon?

If you want pure drinking water then using a carbon water filter is recommended. The water flows through the filter and the carbon attracts even the smallest particles. One downside of a carbon water filter is price. In most cases you'll purchase a pack of two filters which can cost upwards of $20.00 or more per pack. You can save yourself this money over time by cleaning the carbon water filter yourself. The following article will show you how.
Step 1 – Use Caution

When using any type of acid and water combination always use the strictest of safety precautions. Place all of your items outside or only in an area with great ventilation. Breathing in acid can cause burning of the nasal cavity, migraines, vomiting and other ailments. Wear your rubber gloves, facemask and safety goggles to protect you from the chemicals. It is also a good idea to wear old clothing including a long-sleeve shirt and a hat.
Step 2 – Mix the Chemicals

Take both of your buckets outside along with the rest of your materials. Fill one of the buckets with a half gallon of plain water. Wait for the water to come to room or outside temperature. Fill the glass measuring cup with two cups of muriatic acid. Make sure you have the plastic stirrer ready. Slowly add the muriatic acid to the water stirring it continuously with the plastic stirrer. Never add water to acid as it creates a chemical reaction which causes dangerous fumes to form and, in some cases, can cause an explosion.
Step 4 – Remove Debris

The carbon water filter will get very dirty over time which will cause it to not filter properly. Use the high-pressure hose to wash out the carbon water filter. Spend extra attention on areas that appear to have severe calcium build-up or rust. The water will dislodge all of the loose debris and particles. Spray down each side of the filter to ensure maximum effect.
Step 5 – Using the Acid

The hose only removes so much of the calcium and other debris. The muriatic acid will be the final nail in the coffin of getting the carbon water filter clean and ready to use. After the filter has been hosed off place it inside the bucket of water and acid. Make sure the filter sinks to the bottom of the bucket. Place the bucket in an area with good ventilation or outside and let it alone for about a week.
Step 6 – Final Cleanse

After five days the acid has done its work and has eaten away at the calcium and other materials. It also refreshes the carbon inside the filter. Fill the second bucket with a half gallon of clean water. Remove the filter from the acid bath with the tongs and place it in the clean water. Let it soak in the water for five minutes then rinse it off with the hose.

der_wille_zur_macht · 09/04/2017, 07:31 AM

Maybe a better question for the chemistry forum. I know from my time years ago in industrial settings that carbon is sometimes regenerated in bulk with either heat (like, 800 C), steam, or specific strong acids or bases, but the method was usually targeted based on what the carbon had absorbed and required some additional equipment, ie an ion exchange resin was used along with the acid wash methods.

How much carbon are you going through?

09/03/2017, 10:07 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	Reactivating old Carbon can this be possible? Why Wouldn't this also work with activated carbon? If you want pure drinking water then using a carbon water filter is recommended. The water flows through the filter and the carbon attracts even the smallest particles. One downside of a carbon water filter is price. In most cases you'll purchase a pack of two filters which can cost upwards of $20.00 or more per pack. You can save yourself this money over time by cleaning the carbon water filter yourself. The following article will show you how. Step 1 – Use Caution When using any type of acid and water combination always use the strictest of safety precautions. Place all of your items outside or only in an area with great ventilation. Breathing in acid can cause burning of the nasal cavity, migraines, vomiting and other ailments. Wear your rubber gloves, facemask and safety goggles to protect you from the chemicals. It is also a good idea to wear old clothing including a long-sleeve shirt and a hat. Step 2 – Mix the Chemicals Take both of your buckets outside along with the rest of your materials. Fill one of the buckets with a half gallon of plain water. Wait for the water to come to room or outside temperature. Fill the glass measuring cup with two cups of muriatic acid. Make sure you have the plastic stirrer ready. Slowly add the muriatic acid to the water stirring it continuously with the plastic stirrer. Never add water to acid as it creates a chemical reaction which causes dangerous fumes to form and, in some cases, can cause an explosion. Step 4 – Remove Debris The carbon water filter will get very dirty over time which will cause it to not filter properly. Use the high-pressure hose to wash out the carbon water filter. Spend extra attention on areas that appear to have severe calcium build-up or rust. The water will dislodge all of the loose debris and particles. Spray down each side of the filter to ensure maximum effect. Step 5 – Using the Acid The hose only removes so much of the calcium and other debris. The muriatic acid will be the final nail in the coffin of getting the carbon water filter clean and ready to use. After the filter has been hosed off place it inside the bucket of water and acid. Make sure the filter sinks to the bottom of the bucket. Place the bucket in an area with good ventilation or outside and let it alone for about a week. Step 6 – Final Cleanse After five days the acid has done its work and has eaten away at the calcium and other materials. It also refreshes the carbon inside the filter. Fill the second bucket with a half gallon of clean water. Remove the filter from the acid bath with the tongs and place it in the clean water. Let it soak in the water for five minutes then rinse it off with the hose.

09/04/2017, 07:31 AM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	Maybe a better question for the chemistry forum. I know from my time years ago in industrial settings that carbon is sometimes regenerated in bulk with either heat (like, 800 C), steam, or specific strong acids or bases, but the method was usually targeted based on what the carbon had absorbed and required some additional equipment, ie an ion exchange resin was used along with the acid wash methods. How much carbon are you going through? __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)