Extruded Pellet Activated Carbon
Cylindrical pellets with high mechanical strength and low pressure drop — the preferred format for gas-phase adsorption, solvent recovery and impregnated specialty grades.
Extruded Activated Carbon (EAC)
EAC is produced by extruding carbonized coal or coconut material into uniform cylinders. The columnar shape reduces pressure drop in packed beds and improves resistance to attrition — essential for continuous gas treatment and catalyst carrier duty.
Definition: extruded pellet activated carbon (EAC) is made by grinding and extruding carbonized coal or coconut shell into uniform cylinders (Ø1–4 mm). The columnar shape reduces pressure drop in packed beds and resists attrition, which makes EAC the preferred format for gas-phase adsorption — solvent recovery, H₂S removal, biogas treatment and vent air purification — with typical CTC values of 30–90%.
Built for Gas-Phase Duty
Extruded pellets are the standard media for VOC abatement, solvent recovery, odour control and personal protection. Their shape delivers uniform flow distribution and efficient mass transfer in adsorption towers, scrubbers and canisters.
Impregnated grades — KI, KOH, NaOH, CuO, mercury and acid-gas series — extend the adsorption range to reactive contaminants that plain carbon cannot capture effectively.
- ✓Low pressure drop at high flow rates
- ✓High crush strength for deep beds
- ✓Broad impregnation portfolio
- ✓Custom diameter and binder systems
Typical Applications
- VOC control & solvent recovery
- Odour removal (WWTP, industrial)
- Air purification & HVAC systems
- Emission control & stack treatment
- Gas masks & respirator canisters
- Catalyst carriers
Packaging
- 20 / 25 kg sealed bags
- 500 kg jumbo bags
- Drums / custom packing
Typical Specifications
Indicative values — final parameters are matched to your application and impregnation requirement.
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Pellet diameter | 1–2 mm · 3 mm · 4 mm (custom on request) |
| CTC activity | 30 – 90% |
| Butane activity | 15 – 45% |
| Surface area (BET) | 900 – 1300 m²/g |
| Crush strength | ≥40 – 80 N (by diameter) |
| Hardness (ball-pan, ASTM D3802) | ≥ 98% typical for extruded grades |
| Moisture (as packed) | ≤ 5% |
| Bases | Coal-based · Coconut shell |
| Impregnations | KI · KOH · NaOH · CuO · H₂S/Hg/acid-gas series |
In plant practice, extruded pellets typically test ≥98% hardness by the ASTM D3802 ball-pan method, so bed attrition and fines carryover stay low even in deep packed beds and after repeated regeneration. The uniform cylinder shape also gives lower pressure drop than irregular granular carbon at the same particle size, which lets plants run higher air velocities without reblowing the bed. Typical regeneration loss is 5–15% per cycle (5–10% common), and steam regeneration at 650–850 °C restores 90–95% of original capacity; fines below 0.6 mm after fixed agitation are a quick lab proxy for attrition.
EAC vs GAC vs Honeycomb — Which Format Fits?
How the three common gas/air formats compare in plant practice — typical ranges, not guarantees.
| Parameter | EAC (Ø1–4 mm pellets) | GAC | Honeycomb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure drop (packed bed) | Low — uniform cylinders pack with consistent void volume, lower than granular at the same size | Moderate to high — irregular grains pack densely | Very low — open parallel channels |
| Attrition resistance | High — typically tests ≥98% hardness (ASTM D3802 ball-pan) | Good, but sharp grains shed fines during handling and reblow | No granules to attrit, but the monolith is fragile under shock |
| Gas vs liquid duty | Gas-phase first — VOC control, solvent recovery; some liquid duty | Liquid-phase workhorse — water, CIP/CIL gold recovery, decolorization | Gas only — continuous air purification |
| CTC range (typical) | 30–90% | 30–60% (gas grade); liquid grades rated by iodine 800–1100 mg/g | 30–60% (binder reduces activity) |
| Regeneration | Steam/thermal — 5–15% mass loss per cycle (5–10% common) | Thermal regeneration common — 5–15% loss per cycle | Usually replaced, not regenerated in place |
| Typical industries | Solvent recovery, VOC abatement, gas masks, catalyst carriers, biogas/H₂S | Drinking & wastewater treatment, gold recovery (CIP/CIL), food & beverage | HVAC, paint shops, kitchen exhaust, cleanrooms |
Related Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose EAC for gas-phase duty where pressure drop and attrition matter — solvent recovery, H₂S and biogas treatment, vent air. Choose GAC for liquid phase or where you need maximum adsorption per volume.
Common sizes are Ø1–2 mm, Ø3 mm and Ø4 mm. Smaller pellets give faster kinetics and higher capacity per volume; larger pellets give lower pressure drop. Your bed depth and airflow decide the fit.
Yes — acid-washed, impregnated and speciality grades are available. Tell us your target gas and operating conditions, and we will recommend the right formulation with a COA on every batch.
For solvent recovery, CTC (carbon tetrachloride activity) is the standard capacity indicator. In plant practice, 30–60% CTC grades handle common solvents such as toluene, acetone and ethyl acetate; for heavier or more concentrated loads, 60–90% CTC grades give longer cycles and lower steam use. Send us your solvent, concentration and airflow, and we will match pellet size and CTC grade to the duty — COA on every batch.
In typical solvent-recovery duty, an EAC bed lasts 2–5 years with regular steam regeneration. Regeneration restores 90–95% of capacity, carbon loss runs 5–15% per cycle (5–10% common), and the bed is topped up with make-up carbon rather than fully replaced. High humidity, aggressive contaminants and poor regeneration shorten bed life — monitor outlet breakthrough and change out when capacity falls below your target.
EAC vs GAC vs Honeycomb
EAC (Ø1–4 mm) — best for packed-bed gas treatment with low pressure drop. GAC — the liquid-phase workhorse. Honeycomb — highest flow, lowest restriction for continuous air duty. YELI Carbon manufactures all three — see the comparison table above.
About YELI Carbon: we manufacture from our own factory in Longyan, Fujian, China (20+ years, 10,000 m² plant, two activation furnaces). Hardness is tested by the ASTM D3802 ball-pan method, and every batch ships with a COA stating iodine value, hardness, moisture, ash and particle size — the test method is on the certificate.
Designing a Gas-Phase System?
Tell us your contaminant, flow rate and operating conditions — our team recommends the pellet size and impregnation for your duty.
Need a Sample & COA for Your System?
Chat on WhatsApp +86 136 0090 6330 — or request a CIF quote within 2 working hours. Tell us your gas flow, contaminant and target level.
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