YK-AC activated carbon product
YK-AC activated carbon product

Acid-Washed Coconut Shell Carbon for POU & Ultra-Pure Water

Acid washed coconut shell carbon with neutral pH 5–8, <3% ash and >1000 mg/g iodine. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certified—for semiconductor UPW, POU drinking water, food processing and electroplating loops.

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Product Overview

This acid washed coconut shell carbon (YK-AC) is engineered for high-purity water systems where pH stability and minimal extractables decide whether a loop runs clean or drifts out of spec. Produced from selected coconut shell through carbonization, steam activation, and extended acid washing, it holds a neutral pH of 5–8 while maintaining iodine adsorption above 1000 mg/g and BET surface area above 1,000 m²/g.

The acid-washing stage strips out soluble ash and alkaline residues—the root cause of pH drift, conductivity spikes, and trace-metal contamination in closed-loop systems. Backed by drinking water hygiene approval and food production licensing, YK-AC serves semiconductor ultra-pure water, food and beverage ingredient water, electroplating bath circulation, condensate polishing, and point-of-use drinking water filters.

Key Application Areas

  • Point-of-Use (POU) Drinking Water — Fits undersink and countertop filters to remove chlorine, taste, and organic contaminants while maintaining neutral pH effluent for consumer safety.
  • Semiconductor Ultra-Pure Water — Polishes deionized water for wafer cleaning and wet processing, where trace metals and pH excursions are strictly controlled.
  • Condensate & Process Water — Treats recovered steam condensate and industrial process loops to remove organic carryover without introducing ionic contamination.
  • Food & Beverage Processing — Purifies ingredient water for breweries, soft drink bottling, and food manufacturing where acid-washed purity meets direct-contact standards.
  • Electroplating Bath Circulation — Maintains bath chemistry by adsorbing organic impurities without altering pH or introducing metallic contaminants that affect deposit quality.

Specifications

Technical SpecificationsYK-ACUnit
Iodine Adsorption Value>1000mg/g
Moisture Content<10% -wt
Ash Content<3% -wt
Bulk Density>450kg/m³
pH5-8-
Crush Strength>95%
Specific Surface Area>1000m²/g

Tested per GB/T-12496-1999. Values represent typical quality averages; BET method for surface area.

Available particle size

  • 8×20 Mesh ( 0.85 ~ 2.36 mm)
  • 8×30 Mesh ( 0.6 ~ 2.36 mm)
  • 12×30 Mesh ( 0.6 ~ 1.7 mm)
  • 20×40 Mesh ( 0.43 ~ 0.85 mm)
  • 30×60 Mesh ( 0.25 ~ 0.6 mm)
  • 80 ~ 200 Mesh ( 0.075 ~ 0.18 mm)
  • Other customized particle sizes

Packaging

  • 25 kg/Bag
  • 500 kg/Bag

Key Advantages

  • Acid-Washed pH Stability: The 5–8 pH range eliminates the alkaline spikes common in standard carbons, simplifying system design and protecting pH-sensitive processes.
  • Ultra-Low Ash & Leachables: <3% ash and reduced extractables minimize conductivity spikes and trace-metal introduction in UPW and plating loops.
  • High Coconut Shell Purity: Natural coconut shell hardness (>95%) and low inherent metals support consistent long-term performance in critical water systems.
  • Documented Compliance: Drinking water hygiene approval and food production licensing shorten supplier qualification for electronics, beverage, and industrial water buyers.

Why YK-AC Over Standard Washed Carbon?

Standard coconut shell carbons are typically water-washed or unwashed. They adsorb well, but their residual alkali and soluble ash leach out during the first weeks of service—pushing pH upward, spiking conductivity, and forcing operators into extended rinse cycles or premature changeouts. Acid washing removes these residues at the factory rather than in your system: the carbon arrives at neutral pH, with <3% ash, ready for loops that cannot tolerate drift. For drinking water, semiconductor rinse, and plating applications, that difference is not a preference—it is the specification.

Customization & Supply

Standard sizes from 8×20 to 80×200 mesh ship from stock, with custom cuts available on request. Packaging includes 25 kg bags and 500 kg bulk bags, and every lot ships with a certificate of analysis. Samples are available for qualification testing before order confirmation.

  • Q
    What is acid-washed coconut shell carbon?
    A

    It is granular activated carbon made from coconut shell that has gone through an additional acid-washing step after steam activation. The acid wash dissolves and removes soluble ash, alkali residues and metal impurities left from the raw material and activation process. The result is a carbon with neutral pH, very low ash and minimal leachables—properties that standard washed carbon cannot guarantee.

  • Q
    What is the difference between YK-AC and LC-A0 S?
    A

    Both are high-purity grades within PureStar's washed carbon range. YK-AC is positioned for drinking water and food-contact applications, backed by NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 certification, drinking water hygiene approval and food production licensing. LC-A0 S is oriented toward electronics and electroplating loops—see the LC-A0 S product page for detailed specifications.

  • Q
    Does acid washing reduce adsorption capacity?
    A

    No. Acid washing dissolves mineral ash and alkali residues on the carbon surface—it does not attack the pore structure created during steam activation. YK-AC retains an iodine value above 1000 mg/g and BET surface area above 1000 m²/g after washing, while gaining neutral pH and ultra-low leachables. What acid washing removes is contamination, not capacity.

  • Q
    Is YK-AC suitable for whole-house POE systems?
    A

    Yes. Its neutral pH effluent, <3% ash and low leachables make YK-AC well suited for point-of-entry tanks, especially where low-leaching media is a priority. For standard chlorine and taste/odor duty, the GAC series offers a more economical option—see our whole-house water treatment solutions

  • Q
    Can YK-AC be used in aquarium or aquaculture systems?
    A

    Yes, with a thorough rinse before use. Acid-washed coconut carbon's neutral pH will not swing water chemistry, and its low ash and minimal leachables make it a common choice for aquarium filtration. Note that YK-AC is engineered and certified for industrial and drinking water systems; for aquarium use it performs as a high-purity general-purpose carbon.

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