Activated Carbon, Res-Kem and The Marketplace

Particle Size:
Carbon typically comes in 12 x 40 mesh (size of granule). 12 mesh is a particle size of 1.7 mm or 0.066 inches. 40 mesh is a particle size of 0.425 mm or .0016 inches. 98% of Res-Kem sales are 12 x 40.
Carbon must be acid washed to remove contaminants on the carbon. The contaminants removed are primarily metals like Iron which are soluble in acidic streams,

Types of carbon:
Coconut shell (80% of market place)
Bituminous coal (20% of market place)
The trend has changed to coconut because the manufacturing process is more efficient than coal because it does not contain as many contaminants. Depending upon the quality of the coal and where it is from, coal can naturally contains metals and heavy metals. If these contaminants are not removed at the factory, they can leach out into your water.

Carbon Quality:
The Iodine Number a test used to quantify the adsorption qualities of activated carbon. Generally, the higher the iodine number, the better the removal quality of activated carbon to remove contaminants in water.

Coconut = 1,000 and more Iodine number.
Coal = Anywhere between 800-1100 Iodine number.

Brands:
The three major brands of activated carbon are:
Calgon with their Centaur brand activated carbon
Jacobi
Norit

Res-Kem offers through Calgon a carbon return program. After filling out a carbon acceptance form and approval, Calgon will take back carbon for reactivation or incineration.

Markets:
Activated carbon is used in the industrial, municipal, commercial and residential markets. Carbon is used to remove chlorine, chloramine, taste, odor, and color from water.

Residential Water Treatment Training Program at Res-Kem

It was a very eventful time here at Res-Kem the past few days in training. I learned about various resins and how certain chemicals react together depending upon their positive or negative charge. I also learned how complex carbon is and how different it can vary in quality. I have a better understanding on how water treatment units are sold through independent dealers and through franchises. I learned about the physical attributes of water treatment units. Learning about mechanical and electronical interfaces on valves gave me sufficient insight on the technological advancement in the Residential sector. Understanding how the quality of water in Residential can effect people's lives is very interesting.

One of the most interesting things I observed this week was the processes Res-Kem employees must maintain in order to help move this company forward in the water treatment industry, while serving the general public.

Water Treatment Expert in the Making at Res-Kem

Last week, Bao Huynh started as a new employee at Res-Kem. Besides being new to Res-Kem, he is new to the water treatment industry. We have asked him to document his progress on the road to be another of the numerous water experts at Res-Kem. We were thinking this would be a great way to help others get an education if they are interested in becoming a water treatment expert themselves.

Bao's responsibilities are to maintain contact with existing customers, reestablish contact with past customers, and develop new customers through direct contact via email, phone, and/or newsletter as he sees fit. You will likely hear from him soon if you are a past, present, or future customer!