Reactivating activated carbon

Cory · May 23, 2017

I kind of want to reactivate spent rox .8. I was thinking if i torched it with hho gas flame would it reactivate it? The temperature of the flame is 2800 celcius.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

That is plenty high. Maybe too high as it might burn off the carbon. I've read that commercial reactivation services use 850 deg C.

Cory · May 23, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
That is plenty high. Maybe too high as it might burn off the carbon. I've read that commercial reactivation services use 850 deg C.

Do you think i need to provide an oxygen free environment when doing it? Ive read thats how they do it. Or nitrogen? Ill try not to torch it too long to limit the temp.

Ty Hamatake · May 23, 2017

I didn't even know this was possible. Is this only possible with a specific type of torch or oven?

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

Ty Hamatake said:
I didn't even know this was possible. Is this only possible with a specific type of torch or oven?

Only special ovens get hot enough. I don't actually know if a torch will work as it may burn the carbon to CO2.

Ty Hamatake · May 23, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Only special ovens get hot enough. I don't actually know if a torch will work as it may burn the carbon to CO2.

Ok, so not feasible for the every day reefer

thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

Ty Hamatake said:
Ok, so not feasible for the every day reefer thanks!

You might try microwaving it if you want to experiment. Soem reefers have had soem success:
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/ra/c6ra05211h#!divAbstract

Cory · May 23, 2017

Ill try it and let you know. Ill seal it in a steel can and heat it up if it burns it off to co2

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

Cory said:
Ill try it and let you know. Ill seal it in a steel can and heat it up if it burns it off to co2

Don't seal the can, It will explode. lol

jason2459 · May 23, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Don't seal the can, It will explode. lol

lol I thought Oh Sh**

Cory · May 23, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Don't seal the can, It will explode. lol

Lol yeah i dont want that to happen. Ill leave a hole for the vent. And wear saftey equipment. I didnt know carbon could be turned to co2. I thought it was basically a diamond, no?

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

Cory said:
Lol yeah i dont want that to happen. Ill leave a hole for the vent. And wear saftey equipment. I didnt know carbon could be turned to co2. I thought it was basically a diamond, no?

No, it is basically charcoal. Diamond is a different crystal form.

azreeftank · May 23, 2017

You know you can also buy new Rox carbon and not mess with it or have possible risk to livestock? Sometimes I don't get it we spend thousands of $$$$ of fish and livestock and then want to save a few bucks on something like this. Don't mean to be rude but I don't get it. Saw a post the other day of a guy wanting to use lettuce instead of Nori sheets because he figured he could save like .23 cents a month doing that.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 23, 2017

azreeftank said:
You know you can also buy new Rox carbon and not mess with it or have possible risk to livestock? Sometimes I don't get it we spend thousands of $$$$ of fish and livestock and then want to save a few bucks on something like this. Don't mean to be rude but I don't get it. Saw a post the other day of a guy wanting to use lettuce instead of Nori sheets because he figured he could save like .23 cents a month doing that.

I think the main purpose is a fun learning experience, rather than a primary focus on saving money.

jason2459 · May 23, 2017

Cory said:
Lol yeah i dont want that to happen. Ill leave a hole for the vent. And wear saftey equipment. I didnt know carbon could be turned to co2. I thought it was basically a diamond, no?

Ok Superman.

Cory · May 23, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I think the main purpose is a fun learning experience, rather than a primary focus on saving money.

Yeah its very nice to learn. One of the things in reefing i like is all the learning. I also have availability issues too. So reactivating it on site is convenient. Plus if it works i can use much more, more often.

sundog101 · May 24, 2017

azreeftank said:
You know you can also buy new Rox carbon and not mess with it or have possible risk to livestock? Sometimes I don't get it we spend thousands of $$$$ of fish and livestock and then want to save a few bucks on something like this. Don't mean to be rude but I don't get it. Saw a post the other day of a guy wanting to use lettuce instead of Nori sheets because he figured he could save like .23 cents a month doing that.

Anybody can buy carbon, that's no fun