John Harris [jfhdally@agn.net.au] wrote:
> One source of this filter material is softdrink factories worldwide.
> They usually have to pay for the disposal of their carbon and
> they change it regularly at about 30% capacity. Worth a try
> in consumer societies anyway, and you may get paid to cart
> it away.

Adler, Paul [PAdler@afrs.ars.usda.gov]
>Q: What is the source of the carbon material byproduct that softdrink
>factories generate? And what do they use it for?

Dear Paul

I believe the source of the carbon material in Western Australia is local
hardwood timber.

This is not so much a byproduct of softdrink manufacture, but a waste
material from the processing of the incoming water stream. Activated carbon
is used in the water filters because of it's ability to absorb dissolved
gases from water, particularly hydrogen sulfide and petroleum gases that
can be present in underground water supplies. Because of the high quality
needed for the water the filter material is discarded regularly.

In answer to a previous query (and in laymans terms) I believe the
manufacturing process involves subjecting high temperature charcoal from
low oxygen kilns to a high pressure steam bath at 800 to 1000 degrees C.
this causes a rapid expansion in the carbon structure and provides a large
surface area for attachment of gas molecules etc.

Here in the wheatbelt of WA the product is widely used in cabin air filters
for chemical spray vehicles because of its ability to hold the (mostly
petroleum) solvents present in many ag chemicals.

Regards
John Harris