Activated carbon refers to a form of carbon that undergoes processing to make it extremely porous, thus providing a large surface area. Charcoal is the main source for activated carbon; hence, you will often find people using the names activated charcoal or activated coal in the place of activated carbon.

Depending on the physical characteristics, activated carbon can be powdered, granular, extruded or impregnated. Polymer coated carbon is also useful in some applications.

Read on to gain a better understanding of activated carbon related key terms.

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Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)

If you make activated carbon in the form of fine granules with the size less than 1.0 mm, you will get powdered activated carbon as a result. The surface area of this carbon is very large and it is very useful in the treatment of wastewater.

I recommend: You can learn about powdered activated carbon and its applications at Lake Wood Directory, an online resource on activated carbons.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)

Granular activated carbon is slightly larger than the powdered version and as a result, has a surface area smaller than PAC. Granular activated carbon is useful in water treatment systems.

I recommend: Get the definition and more information on granular activated carbon at GreenFacts, an organization advocating environmental issues.

Extruded activated carbon or extruded carbon blocks

When you process carbon into cylindrical blocks or extruded shaped carbon, you will get the extruded activated carbon. Properties of extruded activated carbon include low content of dust, low-pressure drop and high mechanical strength. This makes it ideal for gas phase applications.

I recommend: Learn about extruded activated carbon at DoultonUSA, a unit of Eco Systems International.

Impregnated carbon

For adsorption purposes, manufacturers make carbons that contain other elements such as silver and iodine. You will need impregnated carbon for special applications.

I recommend: To learn about use of impregnated activated carbon for environmental concerns, visit CPL Carbon Link, a manufacturer of activated carbons.

Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters are useful in water purification and air purification systems. They remove chorine and other organic compounds from water, making it suitable for drinking purposes.

I recommend: You can learn about activated carbon filters, their advantages and disadvantages in detail at HomeWaterPurifiersAndFilters.com, a reputable supplier of water purification systems.

Activated carbon clothing

Activated carbon clothing came into use for chemical warfare purposes. This cloth has a high vapor intake and better filtration capacity. Carbon cloth is very porous and provides protection from chemical, biological and nuclear agents.

I recommend: To get more information on activated carbon clothing, read through the information at ArchivalSuppliers.com, a division of University Products.

A small number of companies have made the design, fabrication and installation of the atmospheric storage tank their specialty. Atmospheric storage tanks are defined as those that can operate at pressures between atmospheric and 6.9 kilopascals (kPa) gage (as measured at the top of the tank), with one kPa equaling about 1 percent of atmospheric pressure: These tanks are built in two basic designs — the cone-roof design where the roof remains fixed and the floating-roof design where the roof floats on top of the liquid and rises and falls with the liquid level.

Determining the volume, size and other storage specifications of your tank is first and foremost. When developing a data sheet or atmospheric storage tank list with specifications, it's important to have a basic understanding of tanks and their related requirements. Consider the following when searching for an atmospheric storage tank to store your product.

1. What are your company's specifications for an atmospheric storage tank?

2. Does the atmospheric storage tank provider adhere to safety regulations?

3. What type of atmospheric storage tank suits your industry's needs?

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Find atmospheric storage tank information

Specifications to decide upon prior to shopping for an atmospheric storage tank include size, volume and vessel material. The tank can rest vertically or horizontally, depending on the layout of the area where the it will lie.

I recommend: A&B Process Systems offers custom agitation and carries atmospheric storage tanks in a variety of sizes ranging from 15,0005 to 60,000 liters depending on the design. General Industries allows you to select with your specifications in mind -- by tank name or application. Once you have chosen a type, the website provides a listing of its inventory categorized by size and additional specifications.

Ensure the atmospheric storage tank provider adheres to national safety standards

Given the flammability and toxicity of many of the products stored in atmospheric storage tanks, strict adherence to safety standards is imperative. The process for quality assurance or control is also vital to ensure each tank receives a thorough inspection prior to being made available for sale.

I recommend: Modern Welding's tanks meet guidelines of the Underwriters Laboratories construction UL-142, and the Steel Tank Institute's nationally-recognized standards. They also require a strict third-party quality control inspection program. Composites USA's quality assurance process has been independently audited and passed as per the requirements of Factory Mutual and the U.S. Government Mil-I-45208.

Determine which style of atmospheric storage tank best suits the product it will hold

Find atmospheric storage tank inventory that lets you choose between cone and floating roof designs. Fixed-roof tanks have a cylindrical shell with a permanently welded roof that can be flat, conical or dome-shaped. These tanks are used to store materials with a true vapor pressure of less than 10.3 kPa absolute. With floating-roof storage tanks, the roof is made to rest on the stored liquid and is free to move with the level of the liquid. These tanks reduce evaporation losses and control breathing losses while filling. They are preferred for storage of petroleum products with a true vapor pressure of 10.3 to 76.5 kPa absolute.

I recommend: APS Water Services' Labwater website has a variety of atmospheric storage tank selections. Belding Tank Technologies has a sizable selection of all tank designs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Training on methods to prevent and extinguish fires in an atmospheric storage tank is critical. Because these tanks often contain flammable and combustible materials, knowledge of the unique aspects of these sorts of fires can help emergency responders to optimize fire suppression techniques, reduce a fire's severity and minimize the potential for flame escalation.

If you are in the chemical processing industry, you will need atmospheric storage tanks for storing chemicals or fluids. In this business, you will be dealing with aboveground atmospheric storage tanks and underground atmospheric storage tanks maintained at atmospheric pressure levels. Since these could contain toxic or inflammable materials, you will need education on the possible environmental hazards and safety precautions necessary to operate atmospheric storage tanks.

As a manufacturer of storage tanks, you will need to provide different industrial customers with customized atmospheric storage tanks. Education and training on the construction standards will help you build atmospheric storage tanks that meet industry requirements.

Various resources provide atmospheric storage tanks education and training. You can start by:

1. Searching for certification courses and tutorials on atmospheric storage tanks
2. Reading through articles and magazines that publish useful information
3. Finding construction and safety standards for atmospheric storage tanks

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Find atmospheric storage tanks education and training courses

Technical courses are useful for understanding the operation and maintenance of atmospheric storage tanks. Education and training on atmospheric storage tanks is important if you want to excel in the industry.

I recommend: The Center for Professional Advancement provides courses and technical training on the design and maintenance of atmospheric storage tanks. Carmagen Engineering Inc, an organization for engineering professionals, also conducts courses on inspection and maintenance of aboveground atmospheric storage tanks. To learn about the inspection of aboveground atmospheric storage vessels, you could also attend a certification program at Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association.

Subscribe to online magazines and technical journals about atmospheric storage tanks

You can keep yourself updated with the latest developments in the field of atmospheric storage tanks by reading technical articles and magazines.

I recommend: Health and Safety Executive, an organization that strives for workers' safety in manufacturing companies, has published safety instructions for mechanical engineers and workers operating atmospheric storage tanks. You can also subscribe to Chemical Engineering, a magazine that provides information on the chemical industry and relevant equipment, including atmospheric storage tanks.

Learn about construction and safety standards for atmospheric storage tanks

Understanding technical standards is an important part of atmospheric storage tank education and training. Adhering to industry standards is a necessity for manufacturers of storage tanks. As a user, make sure you buy an atmospheric storage tank that meets all the safety standards.

I recommend: The American Petroleum Institute (API) publishes standards for storage tanks that are useful in the petroleum industry. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International) also issues standards on tank design, installation and fabrication. The standards by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) give specifications on repair of tanks operating at atmospheric pressures.