What is the difference between Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)?

The fundamental distinction lies in particle size and operational deployment: GAC consists of rugged, larger particles used in fixed-bed continuous filtration columns, whereas PAC consists of ultra-fine particles dosed directly into fluid streams for batch treatment-

• Particle Size: GAC ranges from 0.2 mm to 5.0 mm (larger mesh sizes); PAC is pulverized to less than 0.18 mm (passing US Mesh 80).

• Application Mode: GAC is packed into permanent pressure or gravity vessels for continuous water or air purification; PAC is mixed into liquid streams as a slurry (e.g., in water treatment plants) and filtered out.

• Reactivation Potential: GAC is durable enough to be economically collected and thermally reactivated for multiple cycles; PAC is typically single-use and disposed of as sludge.

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