Powder Activated Carbon: Types, Specs & Buying Guide

Q: What is the difference between powder activated carbon and granular activated carbon?

PAC has 80%+ passing 200 mesh (75 µm) and is dosed into liquids then filtered out. GAC has 0.5–4 mm particles used in fixed beds. PAC is faster-acting but single-use; GAC is slower but reactivatable.

Q: Which is better for decolorization — wood-based or coal-based PAC?

Wood-based PAC. Its phosphoric acid activation creates high mesopore volume where large color molecules adsorb. For sugar, oil, and chemical decolorization, wood-based PAC with methylene blue ≥200 mg/g is industry standard.

Q: How much powder activated carbon do I need per ton of product?

Sugar decolorization: 0.1–0.5% by weight. Edible oil refining: 0.5–2%. Wastewater: 50–500 mg/L. Run a bench-scale dosing trial on your actual product to find the minimum effective dose.

Q: Is powder activated carbon safe for food processing?

Yes, when food-grade specs are met: low ash (<5%), low iron (<0.1%), no heavy metals, and regulatory compliance (FDA/EU). Wood-based and coconut shell PAC are most common for food use.

Q: Can I reuse powder activated carbon?

Generally no. PAC is single-use, removed with sludge or filter cake. Fine particle size makes recovery impractical. For high-usage processes, consider switching to GAC fixed-bed for lower long-term cost.

Powder activated carbon (PAC) is activated carbon ground to a fine particle size — typically 80% passing 200 mesh (75 µm) or finer. Unlike granular activated carbon (GAC) that sits in a fixed bed, PAC is dosed directly into liquid streams, mixed, and then removed by settling or filtration.

PAC is the fastest and most flexible way to add activated carbon treatment to any process. No vessels, no plumbing changes — just dose and filter. This guide covers PAC types, specifications, applications, and how to source it for your operation.

PAC vs GAC: When to Use Which

Factor	PAC (Powder)	GAC (Granular)
Contact method	Dosed into liquid, mixed, filtered out	Liquid flows througha fixed carbon bed
Capital cost	Low — needs only a dosing system and existing clarifier/filter	High — needs adsorption vessels, piping, backwash system
Operating cost	Higher carbon consumption per volume treated	Lower carbon consumption (longer contact time, better utilization)
Best for	Intermittent dosing, seasonal events, emergencies, taste/odor control, decolorization	Continuous treatment, large volumes, trace contaminant polishing
Carbon reuse	Typically single- use (removed with sludge)	Can be reactivated and reused multiple times
Flexibility	High — adjust dose rate instantly based on conditions	Fixed — bed changeout needed to adjust capacity
Particle size	80%+ passing 200 mesh (75 µm)	8×30, 12×40, or similar mesh ranges

Rule of thumb: Use PAC when you need flexible, on-demand treatment without capital investment in adsorption vessels. Use GAC when you have continuous treatment needs and want lower long-term carbon costs through bed reactivation.

Types of Powder Activated Carbon

By Raw Material

Тип	Сырье	Key Characteristics	Typical Applications
Wood-based PAC	Sawdust, wood chips	High mesopore volume, excellent decolorization, lower density	Sugar refining, food/beverage decolorization, pharmaceutical purification
Coal-based PAC	Bituminous or lignite coal	Balanced micropore /mesopore, good all-round adsorption, cost-effective	Municipal water treatment, industrial wastewater, general purpose
Coconut shell PAC	Coconut shell	High micropore volume, high hardness (less relevant for powder), highest cost	Pharmaceutical, food-grade applications requiring high purity

Тип

Сырье

Key Characteristics

Typical Applications

Wood-based PAC

Sawdust,

wood chips

High mesopore volume,

excellent decolorization,

lower density

Sugar refining, food/beverage

decolorization, pharmaceutical

purification

Coal-based PAC

Bituminous or

lignite coal

Balanced micropore

/mesopore, good

all-round adsorption,

cost-effective

Municipal water treatment,

industrial wastewater,

general purpose

Coconut shell PAC

Coconut shell

High micropore volume,

high hardness (less relevant

for powder), highest cost

Pharmaceutical, food-grade

applications requiring

high purity

For most industrial applications, wood-based PAC is the default choice. Its high mesopore volume makes it the best decolorizer, and it's produced through phosphoric acid activation which gives it naturally high mesopore content. Coal-based PAC is preferred for water treatment where broad-spectrum adsorption matters more than decolorization.

By Activation Method

Chemical activation (phosphoric acid / ZnCl₂) — produces high-mesopore carbon, ideal for decolorization. Most wood-based PAC uses this method
Steam activation — produces high-micropore carbon with broader pore distribution. Standard for coal-based and coconut shell PAC

Key PAC Specifications

Parameter	What It Measures	Typical Spec Range	Why It Matters
Йодное число	Micropore adsorption capacity (ASTM D4607)	800–1200 mg/g	Higher = better for small molecule removal (taste, odor, solvents)
Метиленовый синий number	Mesopore adsorption capacity	120–280 mg/g	Higher = better for decolorization (large color molecules adsorb in mesopores)
Particle size (passing 200 mesh)	Fineness	80–95%	Finer = faster adsorption kinetics but harder to filter out
Влага	Water content	≤10%	You're paying for carbon, not water
Зольность	Inorganic mineral residue	3–15%	Lower ash = higher purity, critical for food/ pharma applications
pH	Acid or alkaline character	3–5 (acid-activated) or 8–11 (steam-activated)	Must match process pH requirements
Iron content	Fe contamination	<0.1% for food grade	High iron causes discoloration in some food processes

The two most important specs for PAC selection:

Methylene blue number — if your primary goal is decolorization (sugar, chemicals, beverages), this is the spec that matters most. Iodine number tells you about micropores, but color molecules need mesopores
Particle size distribution — finer PAC reacts faster but is harder to separate. Match the fineness to your filtration capability

PAC Applications and Selection Guide

Приложение	Recommended PAC Type	Key Spec	Typical Dose Rate
Municipal drinking water (taste/odor)	Coal-based or wood-based	Iodine ≥900 mg/g	5–30 mg/L
Обесцвечивание сахара	Wood-based (phosphoric acid activated)	MB ≥200 mg/g, low ash	0.1–0.5% by weight of sugar
Edible oil refining	Wood-based, acid-washed	MB ≥180 mg/g, low iron	0.5–2% by weight of oil
Фармацевтическая purification	Coconut shell or wood-based, food grade	Low ash, low iron, USP/EP grade	Process-specific
Industrial wastewater (COD/color)	Wood-based or coal-based	MB ≥150 mg/g, Iodine ≥800	50–500 mg/L
Chemical decolorization (glycerin, citric acid)	Wood-based	MB ≥220 mg/g	0.2–1% by weight
Emergency spill response	Any available PAC	Fine particle size for fast kinetics	Depends on contaminant

Приложение

Recommended PAC Type

Key Spec

Typical Dose Rate

Municipal drinking

water (taste/odor)

Coal-based or

wood-based

Iodine ≥900 mg/g

5–30 mg/L

Обесцвечивание сахара

Wood-based

(phosphoric

acid activated)

MB ≥200 mg/g,

low ash

0.1–0.5% by

weight of sugar

Edible oil refining

Wood-based,

acid-washed

MB ≥180 mg/g,

low iron

0.5–2% by

weight of oil

Фармацевтическая

purification

Coconut shell or

wood-based,

food grade

Low ash, low iron,

USP/EP grade

Process-specific

Industrial wastewater

(COD/color)

Wood-based

or coal-based

MB ≥150 mg/g,

Iodine ≥800

50–500 mg/L

Chemical decolorization

(glycerin, citric acid)

Wood-based

MB ≥220 mg/g

0.2–1% by weight

Emergency spill

response

Any available PAC

Fine particle size

for fast kinetics

Depends on

contaminant

For specific guidance on PAC in water treatment, see our article on PAC for water treatment. For food industry decolorization, see our guides on обесцвечивание сахара and glycerin decolorization.

PAC Dosing and Handling

Dosing Methods

Slurry dosing — PAC is mixed with water to form a 5–15% slurry, then metered into the process stream. Most common method for continuous dosing
Dry dosing — PAC is fed directly from a hopper through a screw feeder or volumetric dispenser. Used for batch processes and when water addition is undesirable

Handling Precautions

Dust control — PAC is extremely fine and creates airborne dust during handling. Use enclosed systems, dust collection, and wet unloading where possible
Explosion risk — fine carbon dust in air is combustible. Keep dust concentrations below the lower explosive limit (LEL). Ground all equipment. No open flames or sparks near PAC storage and dosing areas
Storage — store in dry, covered area. PAC absorbs moisture from air, which increases weight and can cause clumping. Keep bags sealed until use

PAC Packaging and Ordering

Packaging Option	Typical Weight	Best For
Paper bags (multi-layer kraft)	20–25 kg	Small to medium users, manual handling
Jumbo bags (FIBC)	500–1000 kg	Large users with forklift/crane unloading
Bulk (pneumatic tanker)	20+ tons	Very large continuous users (municipal water plants)

Packaging Option

Typical Weight

Best For

Paper bags

(multi-layer kraft)

20–25 kg

Small to medium users,

manual handling

Jumbo bags

(FIBC)

500–1000 kg

Large users with

forklift/crane unloading

Bulk (pneumatic

tanker)

20+ tons

Very large continuous

users (municipal water plants)

Huamei Carbon manufactures wood-based and coal-based powder activated carbon for water treatment, decolorization, chemical purification, and industrial wastewater applications. Available in 25 kg bags, jumbo bags, or bulk. Minimum order: 10 tons (one 20ft container).

📱 WhatsApp: +86 181-3792-7803
📧 Email: sale@huameicarbon.com
🌐 Website: www.huameicarbon.com

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the difference between powder activated carbon and granular activated carbon?

Powder activated carbon (PAC) has a particle size where 80%+ passes 200 mesh (75 µm). It's dosed directly into liquids, mixed, and removed by filtration. Granular activated carbon (GAC) has larger particles (typically 0.5–4 mm) and is used in fixed-bed adsorption vessels that liquid flows through. PAC is faster-acting but single-use; GAC is slower but reactivatable.

Which is better for decolorization — wood-based or coal-based PAC?

Wood-based PAC is better for decolorization in most cases. Its phosphoric acid activation process creates a high proportion of mesopores (2–50 nm), which is where large color molecules adsorb. Coal-based PAC has more micropores, making it better for small molecules like taste and odor compounds. For sugar, oil, and chemical decolorization, wood-based PAC with methylene blue number ≥200 mg/g is the industry standard.

How much powder activated carbon do I need per ton of product?

It varies by application and contaminant loading. For sugar decolorization: 0.1–0.5% by weight of sugar. For edible oil refining: 0.5–2% by weight of oil. For wastewater treatment: 50–500 mg/L depending on COD and color levels. The best approach is to run a bench-scale dosing trial — test increasing PAC doses on your actual product to find the minimum effective dose.

Is powder activated carbon safe for food processing?

Yes, when food-grade specifications are met. Food-grade PAC must have low ash (<5%), low iron (<0.1%), no heavy metal contamination, and meet regulatory requirements (FDA, EU, or local food contact standards). Wood-based and coconut shell PAC are most commonly used in food applications. Always request food-grade certification and COA from your supplier.

Can I reuse powder activated carbon?

Generally no. PAC is typically single-use — it's mixed into the process stream and removed with sludge or filter cake. The fine particle size makes it impractical to recover and reactivate. This is the main cost trade-off vs GAC: PAC has lower capital cost but higher ongoing carbon consumption. For processes with high carbon usage, consider switching to a GAC fixed-bed system for lower long-term cost.

Activated Carbon for Sugar Decolorization: Specs & Guide

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) is the most widely used decolorization agent in sugar refining. It removes color bodies, melanoidins, caramel compounds, and polyphenols from raw sugar liquor — turning dark brown syrup into clear, near-colorless refined sugar below 50 ICUMSA.

The right carbon spec makes the difference between hitting your target color in one pass and burning through double the dosage. This guide covers what specifications matter, how the process works, and what to put in your RFQ.

Why Wood-Based PAC for Sugar

Carbon type	Pore structure	Decolorization	Sugar use
Wood-based PAC	Mesopore + macropore dominant	✅ Excellent (large color molecules)	Industry standard
Coconut shell GAC	Micropore dominant	❌ Poor (pores too small for color bodies)	Not suitable
Coal-based PAC	Mixed (micro + meso)	⚠️ Moderate	Sometimes used, inferior to wood

Carbon type

Pore structure

Decolorization

Sugar use

Wood-based PAC

Mesopore +

macropore

dominant

✅ Excellent

(large color molecules)

Industry standard

Coconut shell GAC

Micropore

dominant

❌ Poor

(pores too small for

color bodies)

Not suitable

Coal-based PAC

Mixed (micro

+ meso)

⚠️ Moderate

Sometimes used,

inferior to wood

The chemistry: Sugar color bodies are large organic molecules (MW 500–50,000 daltons). They need mesopores (2–50 nm) and macropores (>50 nm) to physically fit inside the carbon structure. Wood-based carbon has the highest proportion of these larger pores — that's why the sugar industry standardized on it decades ago.

Coconut shell carbon is excellent for water treatment (small molecules like chlorine), but it physically cannot adsorb sugar colorants efficiently. Don't let anyone sell you coconut shell carbon for sugar decolorization — the chemistry doesn't work.

Specifications for Sugar-Grade PAC

Based on actual refinery requirements for producing refined sugar below 50 ICUMSA:

Parameter	Технические характеристики	Test method	Why it matters
Raw material	Wood (hardwood or softwood)	—	Determines pore structure
Form	Powder, 90% passing 325 mesh	ASTM D2862	Fine particles = faster kinetics in batch contact
Йодное число	≥1000 mg/g	ASTM D4607	Indicates total adsorption capacity
Decolorization capacity	≥40% (caramel test)	Standard decolorization test	Direct measure of color removal ability
Метиленовый синий	≥200 mg/g	—	Indicates mesopore volume (where color bodies adsorb)
Iron content	≤200 ppm	—	High iron causes discoloration
Food grade	Yes	FCC (Food Chemical Codex)	Required for food-contact applications
Halal / Kosher	Certified (preferred)	Third-party auditor	Required for export to Middle East, Southeast Asia
FDA compliance	21 CFR 240.40	—	US market requirement

Critical note on decolorization capacity: The ≥40% spec refers to the standard caramel solution test. Actual performance in real sugar liquor depends on your starting color, temperature, contact time, and dosage. A carbon that scores 40% on the bench test will typically achieve 60–80% color removal in optimized plant conditions.

The Decolorization Process

Standard Batch Contact Process

Liquor preparation — Raw sugar dissolved to 60–65° Brix, heated to 70–85°C
Carbon dosing — PAC added at 0.1–0.5% w/w on dry sugar solids (typical: 0.2–0.3%)
Contact time — 20–45 minutes with agitation
Filtration — Filter press or rotary vacuum filter removes spent carbon
Polish filtration — Secondary filtration catches residual carbon fines
Color check — Measure ICUMSA color; if above spec, adjust dosage for next batch

Key Process Parameters

Parameter	Optimal range	Effect if too low	Effect if too high
Temperature	70–85°C	Slow kinetics, poor color removal	Sugar inversion (pH-dependent), energy cost
Contact time	20–45 min	Incomplete adsorption	Minimal improvement after 30 min, wastes throughput
Dosage (% on DS)	0.2–0.3%	Insufficient color removal	Wasted carbon, higher filtration load
Brix	60–65°	Dilute = more volume to process	Viscous = poor carbon-liquor contact

Dosage economics: At 0.25% dosage on a refinery processing 500 tons/day of raw sugar, carbon consumption is approximately 1.25 tons/day = 37.5 tons/month. At $1,200–1,800/ton for food-grade wood PAC, that's $45,000–67,500/month in carbon cost alone. Getting the spec right (higher decolorization capacity) directly reduces dosage and cost.

ICUMSA Color Targets

Sugar grade	ICUMSA color	Typical application
Refined white (EU standard)	<45 IU	European retail, food manufacturing
Refined white (general)	<80 IU	Most global markets
Plantation white	100–300 IU	Direct consumption sugar (less refined)
Raw sugar	600–2000 IU	Starting material for refineries

To achieve <50 ICUMSA from typical raw sugar (1000–1500 IU): You need 85–95% total color removal across all refining steps. Activated carbon handles the final polishing — typically taking color from 150–300 IU (after liming/carbonatation) down to below 50 IU.

PAC vs. GAC vs. Bone Char for Sugar

Method	Color removal	Regenerable?	Food grade	Cost efficiency
Wood-based PAC	Excellent	No (single-use)	Yes	Best for batch operations
GAC columns	Good	Yes (thermal)	Yes	Better for continuous high-volume
Bone char	Excellent	Yes (thermal)	Certification complex	Traditional method, declining use
Ion exchange resin	Very good	Yes (chemical)	Yes	Highest capital cost, best for very high volume

Why most refineries use PAC: Lower capital cost (no columns or regeneration equipment), flexible dosing per batch, and simpler quality control. GAC columns are gaining ground in large-scale operations (>1000 tons/day) where regeneration economics work, but PAC remains the standard for most sugar mills.

What to Specify in Your RFQ

When sourcing sugar-grade PAC, your specification sheet should include:

Item	Requirement
Raw material	Wood-based (phosphoric acid activated)
Particle size	90% min passing 325 mesh (45 µm)
Йодное число	≥1000 mg/g
Decolorization	≥40% (caramel standard)
Метиленовый синий	≥200 mg/g
Iron	≤200 ppm
Heavy metals (Pb)	≤2 ppm
Arsenic	≤1 ppm
Food grade certification	FCC compliant
Halal / Kosher	Certificate required
Упаковка	25kg bags or 500kg jumbo bags
Test report	COA per batch with all above parameters

Wood-based powder activated carbon product specifications →

Troubleshooting: Why Color Won't Come Down

Problem	Likely cause	Solution
Color stuck at 80–100 IU despite high dosage	Carbon mesopore volume too low (wrong spec)	Switch to higher MB value carbon (≥220 mg/g)
Color fluctuates batch to batch	Inconsistent raw sugar quality	Adjust dosage per batch based on inlet color
Good color but high ash in product	Carbon ash too high, minerals dissolving	Specify ash ≤3%, or acid-washed grade
Filter blinding / slow filtration	Carbon too fine or poor quality fines	Check PSD; specify ≤5% below 10 µm
Color rebound after storage	Incomplete removal of precursors	Increase contact time or add second carbon stage

Problem

Likely cause

Solution

Color stuck at

80–100 IU despite

high dosage

Carbon mesopore

volume too low

(wrong spec)

Switch to higher

MB value carbon (≥220 mg/g)

Color fluctuates

batch to batch

Inconsistent raw

sugar quality

Adjust dosage per

batch based on

inlet color

Good color but

high ash in product

Carbon ash too high, minerals dissolving

Specify ash ≤3%,

or acid-washed grade

Filter blinding

/ slow filtration

Carbon too fine

or poor quality fines

Check PSD;

specify ≤5% below 10 µm

Color rebound

after storage

Incomplete removal

of precursors

Increase contact

time or add second

carbon stage

ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ

How much activated carbon is needed per ton of sugar?

Typical dosage is 2–5 kg of PAC per ton of raw sugar (0.2–0.5% on dry solids). The exact amount depends on starting color, target ICUMSA, and carbon quality. Higher-spec carbon (decolorization ≥40%, iodine ≥1000) requires less dosage to achieve the same result. Most refineries producing <50 ICUMSA refined sugar use 2.5–3.5 kg/ton with quality wood-based PAC.

Can coconut shell activated carbon be used for sugar decolorization?

No — not effectively. Sugar color bodies are large molecules (MW 500–50,000) that require mesopores and macropores for adsorption. Coconut shell carbon is micropore-dominant and physically cannot accommodate these large colorants. Wood-based PAC with its open mesopore/macropore structure is the correct choice. This is basic adsorption science, not a marketing preference.

What is the difference between food-grade and industrial-grade activated carbon?

Food-grade activated carbon must comply with Food Chemical Codex (FCC) standards, including strict limits on heavy metals (lead ≤2 ppm, arsenic ≤1 ppm), iron content (≤200 ppm), and must pass extractable matter tests. Industrial-grade carbon has no such limits and may leach contaminants into food products. For sugar refining, only food-grade carbon should be used. Halal and Kosher certifications are additionally required for export to many markets.

Does activated carbon remove minerals or nutrients from sugar?

Activated carbon is selective for organic color compounds and does not significantly remove sucrose, minerals, or basic sugar components at normal operating conditions. The adsorption is driven by the hydrophobic nature of color bodies — sucrose molecules (small, polar) have very low affinity for the carbon surface. You will not lose sugar yield due to carbon treatment.

How do I verify carbon quality before purchasing large quantities?

Request a 25kg sample with COA. Run a bench-scale decolorization test: dissolve raw sugar to 60° Brix, add carbon at 0.3% on DS, hold at 80°C for 30 minutes with stirring, filter through Whatman 42 paper, and measure color with a spectrophotometer at 420nm. Compare results against your current carbon supplier. If the new carbon achieves equal or better decolorization at the same or lower dosage, it qualifies.

Food-grade wood-based PAC for sugar refining — iodine 1000+, decolorization ≥40%, FCC compliant, Halal/Kosher available. WhatsApp: +86 181-3792-7803 | Request specification sheet →