Foodgrade Activated Carbon Production

Similar to bio pellet fuel where each user requires certain specifications of the type of pellet fuel, so does activated carbon. Basically every bio pellet fuel also has its own user or market (to be more clearly read here) as well as activated carbon. The choice of the standard type and production process will affect the quality or characteristics of the activated carbon. Like bio pellet fuel that can be made from various types of biomass, activated carbon can also be made from carbon-based materials such as biomass and coal. Wood pellets are one of the most popular products from bio pellet fuel, and coconut shell activated carbon is one of the most popular activated carbon products.

One of the uses of activated carbon is for the food sector and for that also has its own characteristics. The most important thing about activated carbon for food is about halal, for example, activated carbon can be made from animal bones, if the bones of an animal are haram (prohibited) like pigs, then the activated carbon is also haram or should not be used. Another thing that needs to be considered is the use of activated carbon for food products which also cannot be prohibited for food and beverages such as alcoholic beverages. It is also technically possible that activated carbon can be used for purifying alcohol.

"Then let the human pay attention to his/her food. Indeed, We have poured out water (from the sky), then We cut the earth as well as possible, then We sprouted grain on the earth, grapes and forages, olives and date palms, dense gardens, and fruits and grass, for your pleasure and for your livestock. "(Qur'an 80: 24-32)

Allah SWT instructs us to always pay attention to our food, this is because Allah SWT will not grant our prayers if the food we consume is haram (illegitimate). Activated carbon as an auxiliary material for food production is important to achieve this halal. Activated applications for the food industry are mainly for removing certain colors and odors from these food products. Some examples of applications are processing fruit juices, honey, sugar, sweeteners, edible oil, soft drinks, syrup and so on. In the industry of potable water activated carbon it is also used to eliminate flavors, odors and harmful contaminants.

Specifically activated carbon that conforms to food grade standards also has its own characteristics. These characteristics are related to ash and chemical levels of ash. Activated carbon ash content is calculated based on mineral content or inorganic components such as Ca, Mg, Si, Fe and so on, which are left in activated carbon after the production process. Activated carbon for food applications specifically and also pharmaceuticals must have high purity from impurities in the form of inorganic material or minerals in the ash. For these applications activated carbon must be cleaned by washing with acid solution and often followed by water to be free from the inorganic ash material.