The oil and gas industry employs activated carbon across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Applications include natural gas purification, amine system treatment, refinery process water treatment, and hydrocarbon recovery. Activated carbon's ability to remove contaminants from both liquid and gas streams makes it an essential treatment medium in this sector.
Raw natural gas contains contaminants including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), mercaptans, volatile organic compounds, and mercury that must be removed to meet pipeline specifications and protect downstream equipment. Activated carbon beds treat natural gas streams to remove these impurities.
Recommended Products: Impregnated Carbon (for H₂S and mercury), Coal-Based GAC, Sulfur-Impregnated Carbon
Amine units used for acid gas removal and glycol dehydration systems are susceptible to foaming and degradation from hydrocarbon condensates and organic contaminants. Activated carbon filters treat lean amine and lean glycol streams to remove contaminants and maintain system efficiency.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC, Coal-Based GAC
Petroleum refineries generate significant wastewater volumes containing hydrocarbons, phenols, benzene, and other regulated contaminants. Activated carbon provides polishing treatment to meet discharge limits or enable water reuse.
Recommended Products: Coal-Based GAC, Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
Steam condensate from refinery and petrochemical operations may contain hydrocarbons and corrosion products. Activated carbon removes these contaminants before water is returned to boilers or discharged.
Recommended Products: Coconut Shell GAC, Coal-Based GAC
Tank vents, loading operations, and process vents emit hydrocarbon vapors that represent both product loss and environmental emissions. Activated carbon adsorption systems capture these vapors for recovery or destruction.
Recommended Products: Coal-Based GAC, Coconut Shell GAC (high butane working capacity)
Water produced alongside oil and gas extraction contains dissolved hydrocarbons and organic compounds requiring treatment before disposal or beneficial reuse. Activated carbon is employed as part of treatment trains for produced water.
Recommended Products: Coal-Based GAC, Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
Parameter |
Unit |
Standard GAC |
Mercury Removal Carbon |
Amine Guard Carbon |
Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iodine Number
|
mg/g
|
900 – 1,100
|
800 – 1,000
|
900 – 1,100
|
ASTM D4607
|
Butane Working Capacity (BWC)
|
g/100g
|
8 – 11
|
6 – 9
|
8 – 11
|
ASTM D5228
|
Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC) Activity
|
%
|
55 – 65
|
50 – 60
|
55 – 65
|
ASTM D3467
|
Moisture Content
|
%
|
< 2
|
< 2
|
< 2
|
ASTM D2867
|
Hardness
|
%
|
≥ 95
|
≥ 95
|
≥ 95
|
ASTM D3802
|
Particle Size
|
mesh
|
4×8, 4×10
|
4×8, 4×10
|
4×8, 8×30
|
ASTM D2862
|
Apparent Density
|
g/cm³
|
0.48 – 0.54
|
0.55 – 0.65
|
0.48 – 0.54
|
ASTM D2854
|
Surface Area (BET)
|
m²/g
|
900 – 1,100
|
700 – 900
|
900 – 1,100
|
ASTM D6556
|
Mercury Loading Capacity
|
mg Hg/g
|
N/A
|
10 – 30
|
N/A
|
Internal
|
Impregnation Content (Sulfur)
|
%
|
N/A
|
8 – 15
|
N/A
|
Vendor Method
|
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