Source for Activated Carbon?

[Projman]

For making a DIY scrubber. In my opinion, this has the absolute best chance of high success. Why? Because in industrial, medical, pharmaceutical applications, they use carbon. Enormously effective at bonding to organic odors, and that's all we're dealing with here.

The DIY tutorials are describing great rigs. They should work fine. The problem is the correct carbon. Specifically the right carbon particle size.

We are looking to scrub air, not water. Therefore we need a larger particle size. Pet stores, etc all have smaller granules in the 8x10 range. We need larger particles in the 4x10 range. This is based on standard screen size measurements.

Too small a particle and it just packs into a cake, not allowing air to access it (diffuse).

There's a lot of activated carbon on ebay. All too small for air filtration. The good looking air scrubbers are also made from the same small particle acticated carbon.

I can get a 55 lb bag of the right stuff, but what the hell would I do after I take 5 lbs for me.

So I'm hoping someone has found the right size stuff at some point.

Thanks

Projman Reviewed by Projman on 08-21-2008. Source for Activated Carbon? For making a DIY scrubber. In my opinion, this has the absolute best chance of high success. Why? Because in industrial, medical, pharmaceutical applications, they use carbon. Enormously effective at bonding to organic odors, and that's all we're dealing with here. The DIY tutorials are describing great rigs. They should work fine. The problem is the correct carbon. Specifically the right carbon particle size. We are looking to scrub air, not water. Therefore we need a larger particle Rating: 5

[killerweed420]

I didn't have any luck finding it except at my hydro store. Bought a 16 pound box of it. Its going to last for quite a while.

[stinkyattic]

If you can't find the right size, try experimenting with different sized screens, and different thicknesses of the carbon layer, that will allow air to pass and still work.
For example, you could run a couple inches thick of a huge particle size, but maybe only about a centimeter of a small one. Small particles=more surface area exposed to bind contaminants; it is a matter of finding the happy medium (no pun intended!!!).

[Projman]

The goal would be to have a compact unit. You want the travelling air to interract and diffuse through a thick layer. While your idea makes sense, I suspect the difference in particle size would require a 20' long tube to get same effect. Likely longer, since that small particle size really packs for vapor filtration.

[stinkyattic]

So let me see... also when you are dealing with humid air, you are going to have a harder time forcing it across a layer with small particle size?

[Projman]

I suppose humidity could be a factor also. The particle size is apparently a big deal with vapor scrubbing. This is unfortunate considering most available carbon particle sizes are for water filtration, but sold as "suitable for air filtration."

[stinkyattic]

This is unfortunate considering most available carbon particle sizes are for water filtration, but sold as "suitable for air filtration."

... but without the necessary caveat, "If you have a 600+CFM blower that could suck the Ugly offa Flava Flav"?
Dizzam.

Well, definitely keep us posted as to your projects. I found a material that you might have a use for; it's the 'pet-proof' plasticized screen material they sell and hardware stores. It's flexible and sturdy and you can still cut it with scissors, and if you're handy with your Home Ec skills, it's easy to sew. Or you could just use staples, lol!

[Projman]

LOL!! The only thing with enough suction to deal with Flav is a black hole.

[rhizome]

First- Flava Flav is the hype, boyeee! I will brook no mockery of the Flav. ( The big clocks, on the other hand, ya can mock all ya like- but Flava Flav knows what time it is...)

Secondly, a 4" Odorsok is $50 @ my local- why re-invent the wheel?
'Cuz a bag of the right carbon (intended for use in air filtration, as opposed to "suitable") is gonna run ya a lot more than $50...

I toss old filters, rather than refill them, for this very reason- filters are cheaper than carbon. Something about economies of scale...

If yer goal is to build it yourself just for the satisfaction, well, good for you- but if yer trying to save a couple bucks, just buy pre-made. It's cheaper, it works better, and you can spend the time you save tweaking other things to max yer return.

Anyway, my $0.02 US- not worth much to start with, but down 47% since W took office. Hell, ya wanna save a couple bucks- Vote against McDubya... SOB'd cost us a fortune...

[stinkyattic]

Lol! Flava Flav may have Da Skills and know what time it is, but he one bizarre lookin' dude... Flavor of Love is further proof that with money, even a guy who looks like an urban gnome with an outsized stopwatch can land the hot chick.
Too funny!
For the record: Fear of a Black Planet is in my car changer as we speak. lolol!