Calgon Carbon Product Line: Specs, Grades & Factory Alternatives
Calgon Carbon, now part of the Kuraray Group, produces some of the most widely specified activated carbon grades in the industry. If you've seen Filtrasorb, OLC, or Centaur on a project spec sheet, you know the names.
This guide breaks down every major Calgon grade by application — water treatment, gold recovery, gas phase, and powdered carbon — with the specs that matter for procurement decisions. We also map each grade to factory-direct alternatives that meet or exceed the same parameters at a lower landed cost.
Quick note: we only cover grades with publicly available specification data. Discontinued or region-specific grades without published specs are excluded.
Filtrasorb Series: Granular Activated Carbon for Water Treatment
The Filtrasorb line is Calgon's flagship GAC product family, used in municipal drinking water plants, industrial wastewater treatment, and groundwater remediation worldwide. All Filtrasorb grades are made from bituminous coal by steam activation.
Here's what separates each grade:
| Grade | Mesh Size | Iodine (mg/g) | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtrasorb 100 | 12×40 | ≥900 | General water treatment,
taste & odor control |
| Filtrasorb 200 | 12×40 | ≥950 | Dechlorination, organic
compound removal |
| Filtrasorb 300 | 8×30 | ≥900 | Municipal water treatment
(most commonly specified) |
| Filtrasorb 400 | 12×40 | ≥1000 | High-capacity water treatment,
industrial process water |
| Filtrasorb 600 | 12×40 | ≥1050 | High-purity applications,
food & beverage |
| Filtrasorb 820 | 8×20 | ≥850 | High-flow rate systems,
large filter beds |
Filtrasorb 300 vs 400 — the most common question:
Filtrasorb 300 uses 8×30 mesh, which gives faster adsorption kinetics due to smaller particle size but higher pressure drop. Filtrasorb 400 uses 12×40 mesh with a higher iodine value (≥1000 vs ≥900), offering more total adsorption capacity per bed volume. If your system has flow rate constraints, F300 is the standard. If you need maximum capacity per filter cycle, F400 is the pick.
Factory-Direct Alternatives for Filtrasorb
Huamei produces coal-based GAC in the same mesh sizes (8×30, 12×40) with comparable or higher specs:
| Calgon Grade | Huamei Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F100 / F200 | Coal GAC 12×40 (900IV) | Standard water treatment grade |
| F300 | Coal GAC 8×30 (950IV) | Matches F300's mesh for direct retrofit |
| F400 | Coal GAC 12×40 (1000IV) | High-iodine grade for demanding applications |
| F600 | Coal GAC 12×40 (1050IV) | Low-ash for food/pharma compliance |
| F820 | Coal GAC 8×20 (900IV) | Coarser mesh for high-flow systems |
All Huamei coal-based GAC products are manufactured in Ningxia Province from local bituminous coal — the same raw material base as most Chinese activated carbon. ISO certified, with SGS third-party testing available on request.
Centaur Series: Catalytic Activated Carbon
Centaur is Calgon's catalytic carbon brand. Unlike standard adsorption carbons, Centaur grades are engineered to catalyze chemical reactions — particularly the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and the decomposition of chloramines in drinking water.
| Grade | Form | Size | Application | Catalytic Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centaur 12×40 | Granular | 12×40 mesh | Chloramine removal
in drinking water |
Catalytic decomposition
of monochloramine to N₂ + HCl |
| Centaur HSL | Granular | 12×40 mesh | H₂S removal from
water & gas |
Catalytic oxidation of H₂S
to elemental sulfur |
| Centaur 4×6 | Pellet | ~4mm | Industrial H₂S
removal, biogas |
Catalytic H₂S oxidation
in gas phase |
Key difference from standard carbon: Centaur's catalytic activity comes from its modified surface chemistry during activation — not from chemical impregnation. This means it can be regenerated more effectively than impregnated carbons.
Factory-Direct Alternatives for Centaur
| Calgon Grade | Huamei Equivalent | Key Specs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centaur 12×40 | Coal GAC 12×40 (Catalytic Grade) | Iodine ≥900, Catalytic activity tested | Custom production, specify chloramine application |
| Centaur HSL | HME-AC™60 (Catalytic Pellet) | CTC ≥60%, 4mm | Non-impregnated catalytic grade for H₂S |
| Centaur 4×6 | HME-AC™60 (4mm Pellet) | CTC ≥60%, Hardness ≥95% | Direct replacement for biogas H₂S treatment |
Note: catalytic carbon performance depends heavily on surface chemistry, not just physical specs. If you're switching from Centaur, request a sample batch for pilot testing before committing to a full order. Huamei provides free samples for this purpose.
OLC & GRC Series: Gold Recovery Carbon
Calgon's OLC (Organic Leach Carbon) line is the industry standard for CIP/CIL gold recovery circuits. Made from coconut shell for maximum hardness and gold loading capacity.
| Grade | Mesh Size | Iodine (mg/g) | Hardness | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLC 12×30 | 12×30 | ≥1050 | ≥97% (Ball-Pan) | Standard CIP/CIL gold recovery |
| OLC 6×12 | 6×12 | ≥1050 | ≥97% | Coarse carbon for CIP circuits with larger screens |
| OLC Plus | 12×30 | ≥1100 | ≥98% | Premium grade, higher gold loading rate |
| GRC 22 | 6×16 | ≥1000 | ≥96% | General gold recovery, cost-optimized |
What matters in gold carbon isn't just iodine number — it's K value (gold loading capacity, kg/t) and R value (adsorption kinetics, %). These aren't always published on datasheets but are critical for circuit performance.
Factory-Direct Alternatives for OLC
The HMGOLD™ series from Huamei is designed specifically for gold recovery circuits:
| Calgon Grade | Huamei Equivalent | SGS Data |
|---|---|---|
| OLC 12×30 | HMGOLD™7000 | Available on request |
| OLC Plus | HMGOLD™7500 | Report No. MSRCZ2500346-01A:
Iodine 1208, Strength 98.2% (GB/T) |
| OLC 6×12 | HMGOLD™7500 (6×12) | Same grade, coarse mesh cut |
| GRC 22 | HMGOLD™6000 | Cost-optimized gold carbon |
HMGOLD™7500 has been deployed in CIL circuits in Ghana, Tanzania, and Azerbaijan. The SGS test report (MSRCZ2500346-01A) confirms iodine value of 1208 mg/g and strength of 98.2% under GB/T method. Different hardness testing methods (Ball-Pan vs GB/T) produce different numbers, so direct percentage comparison between Calgon and Huamei hardness figures is not meaningful — request the same test standard for apples-to-apples comparison.
CAL & VPR Series: Gas Phase & Vapor Recovery
Calgon's pelletized and granular carbons for gas phase applications — solvent recovery, VOC control, and industrial gas purification.
| Grade | Form | Size | CTC (%) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAL 4×6 | Pellet | ~4mm | ~50–60 | General VOC adsorption, solvent recovery |
| CAL 4×10 | Pellet | ~4mm | ~60–70 | High-capacity VOC/solvent recovery |
| VPR 4×10 | Pellet | ~4mm | ~70+ | Vapor recovery, gasoline vapor control |
| AT 4×10 | Pellet | ~4mm | ~50 | Air treatment, odor control |
CTC (Carbon Tetrachloride activity) is the defining spec for gas phase carbons. Higher CTC means more adsorption capacity per unit volume, which translates to longer service life between change-outs.
Factory-Direct Alternatives for CAL/VPR
| Calgon Grade | Huamei Equivalent | CTC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT 4×10 | HME-AC™50 | ≥50% | Basic air treatment |
| CAL 4×6 | HME-AC™60 | ≥60% | Standard VOC/solvent recovery |
| CAL 4×10 | HME-AC™70 | ≥70% | High-capacity gas phase |
| VPR 4×10 | HME-AC™80 | ≥80% | Premium vapor recovery grade |
Huamei's HME-AC series uses CTC value as the grade number (HME-AC™60 = CTC ≥60%), so matching is straightforward. All pellet carbons are manufactured in 4mm diameter as standard, with 3mm and 5mm available on request.
Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
Calgon's PAC line covers water treatment, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical applications:
| Grade | Raw Material | Mesh | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPH | Wood | 100–325 mesh | Drinking water, wastewater treatment |
| WPX | Wood | 100–325 mesh | High-purity, food & pharmaceutical |
| CPG-LF | Coconut shell | 200–325 mesh | Food-grade, low fine content |
Factory-Direct PAC Alternatives
| Calgon Grade | Huamei Equivalent | Methylene Blue | Iodine | Ash | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPH | Wood PAC (200 mesh) | ≥150 mg/g | ≥800 | ≤6% | Standard water treatment PAC |
| WPX | Wood PAC (325 mesh) | ≥220 mg/g | ≥900 | ≤4% | High-purity, low-ash grade |
| CPG-LF | Coconut Shell PAC | — | ≥1000 | ≤3% | Food & pharma applications |
Complete Cross-Reference Table
For procurement teams: here's the full mapping in one table.
| Application | Calgon Grade | Form | Huamei Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water treatment (standard) | Filtrasorb 100/200 | GAC 12×40 | Coal GAC 12×40 (900IV) |
| Water treatment (municipal) | Filtrasorb 300 | GAC 8×30 | Coal GAC 8×30 (950IV) |
| Water treatment (high-cap) | Filtrasorb 400 | GAC 12×40 | Coal GAC 12×40 (1000IV) |
| Water treatment (food/pharma) | Filtrasorb 600 | GAC 12×40 | Coal GAC 12×40 (1050IV) |
| Water treatment (high-flow) | Filtrasorb 820 | GAC 8×20 | Coal GAC 8×20 (900IV) |
| Catalytic (chloramine/H₂S) | Centaur 12×40/HSL | GAC/Pellet | HME-AC™60 (Catalytic) |
| Gold recovery (standard) | OLC 12×30 | GAC 12×30 | HMGOLD™7000 |
| Gold recovery (premium) | OLC Plus | GAC 12×30 | HMGOLD™7500 |
| Gold recovery (coarse) | OLC 6×12 | GAC 6×12 | HMGOLD™7500 (6×12) |
| Gold recovery (economy) | GRC 22 | GAC 6×16 | HMGOLD™6000 |
| VOC/Solvent recovery | CAL 4×6, CAL 4×10 | Pellet 4mm | HME-AC™60/70 |
| Vapor recovery | VPR 4×10 | Pellet 4mm | HME-AC™80 |
| Air treatment | AT 4×10 | Pellet 4mm | HME-AC™50 |
| Water treatment (PAC) | WPH/WPX | Powder | Wood PAC 200/325 mesh |
| Food/Pharma (PAC) | CPG-LF | Powder | Coconut Shell PAC |
How to Switch from Calgon to a Factory-Direct Supplier
Switching activated carbon suppliers isn't just about matching specs on paper. Here's the practical process:
1. Match the grade and mesh size first.
Use the cross-reference table above. Make sure the replacement matches the original mesh size exactly — a 12×40 replacement for an 8×30 spec will change your system's pressure drop and contact time.
2. Request a COA (Certificate of Analysis) before ordering.
Any serious supplier will provide a COA with iodine value, hardness, ash content, moisture, and particle size distribution. Compare it against the Calgon TDS for the grade you're replacing.
3. Run a pilot test.
For critical applications (drinking water, gold recovery, catalytic processes), never switch without pilot testing. Request 25–50 kg sample bags and run them through your actual system for at least one service cycle.
4. Check certifications.
Municipal water treatment typically requires NSF/ANSI 61 certification. Gold recovery doesn't have the same regulatory requirements but benefits from SGS or BV third-party testing. Huamei products are ISO certified with SGS testing available.
5. Calculate total cost of ownership, not just unit price.
A carbon that costs 30% less per kg but lasts 20% fewer cycles isn't actually cheaper. Compare price per unit of performance (e.g., cost per mg iodine value, cost per ton of water treated, cost per ounce of gold recovered).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most commonly used Calgon Carbon grade?
Filtrasorb 300 (8×30 mesh) is the most widely specified Calgon grade globally, primarily used in municipal drinking water treatment plants. For gold recovery, OLC 12×30 is the industry standard.
Can I use a Filtrasorb 400 replacement in a system designed for Filtrasorb 300?
Not directly. Filtrasorb 300 is 8×30 mesh while Filtrasorb 400 is 12×40 mesh. The finer particle size of F400 will increase pressure drop across the filter bed. If your system was designed for 8×30, use an 8×30 replacement.
What is the difference between Calgon Centaur and regular activated carbon?
Centaur is a catalytic carbon — its surface chemistry is modified during activation to catalyze reactions like H₂S oxidation and chloramine decomposition. Standard carbon only adsorbs; Centaur both adsorbs and catalyzes. This makes Centaur more effective for specific applications but at a higher price point.
Is coconut shell or coal-based carbon better for water treatment?
It depends on the application. Coconut shell carbon has higher hardness (≥99% vs ≥95%) and lower ash, making it ideal for drinking water and food-grade applications. Coal-based carbon has a broader pore distribution and is more cost-effective for general industrial water treatment and wastewater. Filtrasorb grades are all coal-based; OLC grades are coconut shell.
How do I compare hardness numbers between different suppliers?
Hardness testing methods vary. Calgon typically reports Ball-Pan Hardness (ASTM D3802), while some Chinese suppliers report hardness under GB/T standards. The numbers from different methods are not directly comparable. Always specify which test method you need and request results under the same standard for accurate comparison.
What is CTC and why does it matter for gas phase carbon?
CTC stands for Carbon Tetrachloride activity — it measures the carbon's capacity to adsorb vapor-phase contaminants. Higher CTC means more adsorption capacity, which means longer service life between change-outs. For VOC removal, a CTC of ≥60% is the minimum; for solvent recovery, ≥70% or higher is recommended.