Filter media
Aspects of the present disclosure provide composite carbon blocks with improved capacity for the removal of contaminants such as THMs (trihalomethanes) and trace VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in water. In one aspect, a filtration matrix comprises a polymeric binder and an adsorptive media comprising activated carbon having a bulk density of 0.54 (0.57, or even 0.60) g/cc or greater. The carbon BET surface area can be 1100 (950, or even 550) m 2 /g or less. The polymeric binder can be ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Also provided are methods of making filtration matrixes.
1. A filtration matrix comprising a polymeric binder present in an amount no greater than 30% and an adsorptive media present in an amount between 70% and 90%, the adsorptive media comprising an activated carbon made from nut shells for the removal of contaminants from drinking water, the carbon having a bulk density of 0.54 g/cc or greater, and wherein the carbon BET surface area is 1100 m 2 /g or less, and the VOC capacity of the matrix according to NSF-53 is 20 gal/in 3 or greater.
2. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the bulk density is 0.57 g/cc or greater.
3. The filtration matrix of claim 2 , wherein the bulk density is 0.60 g/cc or greater.
4. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the BET surface area is 950 m 2 /g or less.
5. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the BET surface area is 550 m 2 /g or less.
6. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric binder comprises ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
7. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , comprising a VOC capacity according to NSF-53 of 30 gal/in 3 or greater.
8. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , comprising a VOC capacity according to NSF-53 of 40 gal/in 3 or greater.
9. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric binder is present in an amount of no greater than 15%.
10. The filtration matrix of claim 9 , wherein the polymeric binder is present in an amount of no greater than 10%.
11. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the adsorptive media is present in an amount of at least 85%.
12. The filtration matrix of claim 11 , wherein the adsorptive media is present in an amount of at least 87%.
13. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the carbon BET surface area is in the range of 518 m 2 /g to 1100 m 2 /g.
14. The filtration matrix of claim 1 , wherein the activated carbon is powdered.