In recent years, impregnated activated carbon has become a mainstream technology for NH₃ removal worldwide. Sulfate-impregnated carbon, phosphate-impregnated carbon, and various specialized acidic impregnation systems (such as AddSorb™ VB1, GC IPA, etc.) have all been proven to significantly improve ammonia removal efficiency.
This blog post will provide a detailed explanation of the ammonia information and how activated carbon can be used to remove it.
Why must ammonia be strictly controlled?
Ammonia is a lightweight, highly volatile, and strongly alkaline gas that can leak or be released in various industries.Its hazards include:
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and other parts of the respiratory system
• Strong corrosiveness, causing damage to equipment and materials
• Participation in reactions in the air to form secondary pollutants
• Causing foul odors in agriculture and livestock farming
• Potentially causing eutrophication of water bodies when released into the environment
Therefore, NH₃ control is necessary for safety, health, and environmental regulations.
Why choose impregnated activated carbon for NH₃ removal?
Ordinary activated carbon has difficulty adsorbing NH₃ because:• NH₃ molecules have high kinetic energy and weak attraction to adsorption sites on the carbon surface.
• NH₃ is an alkaline gas and has insufficient affinity for conventional granular activated carbon (GAC).
Impregnated activated carbon (acid-impregnated) modifies the chemical properties of the carbon surface, allowing it to react with and fix NH₃. Therefore, its efficiency in removing ammonia is far higher than that of ordinary activated carbon.
The working principle:
Different acid impregnation systems vary in their specifics, but the core principle remains the same—converting gaseous NH₃ into non-volatile, stable salts.
NH₃ is adsorbed into the carbon pores → reacts with the impregnating agent → solid ammonium salt is fixed in the micropores → non-volatile and non-migratory.
• Sulfuric acid-impregnated activated carbon: NH₃ reacts with H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄
• Phosphoric acid-impregnated activated carbon: NH₃ reacts with H₃PO₄ → NH₄H₂PO₄
• Other acid-impregnated systems: Similar formation of stable ammonium salts
Activated carbon types for ammonia removal
Different impregnation systems are suitable for different industrial environments. Based on operating conditions, gas concentration, and humidity requirements, companies can choose different formulation systems to achieve optimal performance.Sulfuric acid-impregnated activated carbon (H₂SO₄): Fast reaction speed, suitable for waste treatment, sewage treatment plants, etc.
Phosphoric acid-impregnated activated carbon (H₃PO₄): High stability, suitable for high-humidity conditions.
Main application industries include:
• Chemical plant NH₃ exhaust gas treatment
• Leakage treatment of ammonia refrigeration systems in refrigeration equipment
• Odor control at landfill leachate treatment plants and waste transfer stations
• Livestock farming exhaust gas treatment
• Biogas pretreatment systems
• Laboratory and industrial workshop exhaust air purification
• VOC + NH₃ composite exhaust gas treatment
• Industrial dry purification towers / activated carbon tower
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Impregnated activated carbon for NH3 removal Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Specification |
| Base Material | Coal-based / Coconut Shell / Pelletized Carbon |
| Particle Size | 4×8 mesh / 3–5 mm pellets |
| Impregnation Content | 5–15% (H₂SO₄ / H₃PO₄ / Mixed Acids) |
| CTC | ≥ 60% |
| Moisture | 5–15% |
| Hardness | ≥ 90–95% |
| Iodine Number | 900–1000 mg/g |
| Bulk Density | 0.55–0.75 g/cm³ |
| NH₃ Removal Efficiency | ≥ 95% (under ideal conditions) |
Conclusion
As industries continue to advance and environmental standards grow more stringent, effective ammonia control has become essential for ensuring operational safety, regulatory compliance, and sustainable development. Among all available treatment methods, impregnated activated carbon stands out for its ability to convert NH₃ into stable, non‑volatile compounds, providing a long‑lasting, efficient, and maintenance‑friendly solution suitable for a wide range of applications.At Zhulinh Activated Carbon, we are committed to delivering high‑performance impregnated carbon products that meet the evolving needs of modern industries. With optimized pore structure, stable impregnation formulations, and reliable performance across varying humidity and airflow conditions, our NH₃ removal solutions offer both technical excellence and long‑term value.
Whether you are managing industrial exhaust, chemical processes, waste treatment, livestock ventilation, or other ammonia‑related challenges, Zhulinh Activated Carbon can provide tailored recommendations and professional support to help you achieve safe, efficient, and compliant system operation.
If you need guidance on product selection, technical parameters, or application design, our team is ready to assist with solutions engineered for real‑world performance.
