The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed

sophisticated equipment that will minimize the cost and time of

producing activated carbon used for water and air purification.

Russell Pili, senior science research specialist of the DOST's

Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development

(PCIERD), said the new activated carbon reactor has a capacity of 15

kilograms per hour compared to the current 12 kg per hour.

Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is the most widely

used absorbent for industrial applications and environmental cleanup

such as in wastewater treatment, air purification, and treatment of

drinking water.

Pili said the development of the new activated carbon reactor was the

third project conducted by the Industrial Technology Development

Institute (), also an attached agency of the DOST, on activated

carbon processing.

The ITDI developed the first two activated carbon reactors with a

capacity of one and 12 kg per hour, respectively.

Activated carbon, commonly made from coconut shell, is ideal for gas

or liquid phase applications where purification at trace concentration

is required.

Vapor phase applications include indoor air quality, gas respirators,

industrial processes, and pollution control.

On the other hand, liquid phase applications include those on gold

recovery and water purification.

Pili said it only takes eight hours to produce activated carbon using

the new equipment compared to one day using the old one.

She said that in a recent investors' forum, three private companies,

mostly from the charcoal manufacturing business, expressed interest in

the new equipment.

Pili said the technology would also boost the income of those engaged

in the charcoal business since one kilo of activated carbon is double

the price of one kilo of charcoal.

Pili said small and medium enterprises could make use of the

technology, which will be ready for commercialization by next year.

Pili said the price of the equipment has yet to be determined,

although she said it would be affordable.

Aside from coconut shell, other raw materials that can be used to make

activated carbon are wood, coal, and agricultural materials.

The equipment has minimum energy requirements, she said, since heat

required maintaining the temperature for activation is generated

within the reactor.

The equipment is not emitting sulfur oxide since heat is obtained from

biomass combustion, assuring no increase in greenhouse gases, she said.

Energy in the form of "low-calorific" gas is formed during the

process, which can be used for other applications such as drying

coconut meat and other agro-industrial operations.

"The low production cost results in a cheaper product. This gives the

product a competitive edge in local and foreign markets," PCIERD said.

PCIERD said the Philippines, being a foremost coconut-producing

country, has a comparative advantage in the production of coco

activated carbon.

"Demand for activated carbon worldwide grows with the increase in

industrial activities and the stringent environmental regulations and

concerns in protecting the environment. Coconut shell activated carbon

is very much in demand in foreign markets," it said.