Activated carbon vs. Typical bonfire coal

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    Carbon Coal
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the differences between activated carbon and typical bonfire coal, focusing on their specifications, properties, and applications. Participants explore the surface area, reactivity, and purity of each material.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that activated charcoal has significantly more surface area compared to typical coal, which enhances its effectiveness in filtration and other applications.
  • Others explain that activated carbon is specially treated to achieve a high surface area, making it more reactive and desirable for uses such as pyrotechnics and carbon filtration.
  • One participant mentions that normal coal-carbon contains many impurities compared to activated carbon, suggesting a distinction in purity levels.
  • Another point raised is that activated carbon can absorb water and other chemicals from the air due to its high surface area, while typical coal is too dense for such absorption.
  • There is a suggestion that if activated carbon has been fully utilized, it may become similar to coal in terms of functionality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the properties and applications of activated carbon versus typical coal, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about surface area and reactivity depend on specific definitions and conditions of use, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.

civil_dude
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Does anyone know the difference? Specs and such?

Thanks
 
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Activated charcoal has lots more surface area to help for filters and stuff... They can make it with 2 square kilometers in a gram I hear.
 
Activated Carbon is specially treated/made to that the particles have a very high surface area.
This increased surface area of Activated Carbon over regular coal-Carbon makes it much more reactive (more surfact area means more spots for a reaction to take place) and very desireable for use in pyrotechnics and in carbon filtration.
 
Normal choal-carbon contains many inpurities compared to the chemically altered activated carbon, but I assume that you meant coal-carbon without it?
 
Activated Carbon has a high surface area that allows it to absorb water and other such chemicals from the air. Coal is way too dense for this. However, if the activated carbon has been used to its full extent, it will be about the same thing as the coal.
 

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