Activating Carbon - Can I reuse it my carbon?

[chrisbenavides]

I was wondering if I could reuse the carbon so long as I rinse it well. I don't know if people do this or not, so I'll ask. When I rinse it I usually rinse it with hot water.

What do you all think?

Thanks!
- Chris

 

[bertoni]

That won't really work. It needs to be heated to a high temperature, over 1000 F, IIRC, to be reactivated.

 

[Dastank]

I've tried a bunch of things to get mine to reactivate and nothing worked very well. It does seem to bounce back, but not very well and it didn't last.

 

[MCary]

You can't reactivate carbon at home. The activation process is what causes the many little pores. Most people think that water flows through the pores and the size of the pores filters out the impurities. But that's not how it works, The many tiny pores just give more surface area. Carbon works by adsorption not absorption. Organics are attracted to the surface of the carbon and are bound to the carbon. It is a strong chemical bond. The organics must be cooked off at high temperatures like Jon said.

Mike

 

[Bebo77]

lol you could always get a kiln and reactivate it...