Coal-Based Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) – 8x30 & 12x40 Mesh

Name: Coal-Based Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) – 8x30 & 12x40 Mesh
Brand: Carbon Activated Corporation
SKU: coal-based-granular-activated-carbon

$170⁹⁸

Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Mesh size

Pack size

Product variants

Bulk pallet & supersack discount - save on 2+ pallets or supersacks. Live freight quotes at checkout.

Qty	Discount
Buy 2	5% off each
Buy 4	10% off each

SDS/TDS & COAs Available

Fast Quote Turnaround

Live Freight Quotes at Checkout

Low MOQ Flexibility

Overview

Coal-Based Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is a durable liquid-phase adsorption media used in compatible municipal and industrial water treatment, dechlorination, taste-and-odor control, process-water purification and dissolved-organic reduction .

Compared with many coconut-shell carbon grades, coal-based GAC often provides a broader pore-size distribution that can support adsorption of a wide range of organic compounds. Sorbents Direct offers this material in 8×30 mesh and 12×40 mesh for systems ranging from polishing filters to larger fixed-bed vessels.

For broader guidance on pore structure, carbon source, iodine number, EBCT and activated-carbon selection, see our Activated Carbon Practical Guide or browse the full Activated Carbon collection .

Carbon type: Coal-based granular activated carbon

Available mesh sizes: 8×30 and 12×40

Available packaging: 27.5 lb (12.47 kg) bags and 1,100 lb (approximately 499 kg) supersacks

Common uses: Water treatment, dechlorination, taste-and-odor control, process-water polishing and dissolved-organic reduction

Shipping: Parcel, pallet or LTL freight based on package size and quantity

Primary applications

Municipal water treatment: Reduction of free chlorine, taste-and-odor compounds and selected dissolved organics using an appropriately qualified carbon grade.
Industrial process water: Polishing of compatible water streams before reuse, discharge or downstream processing.
Drinking-water treatment: Dechlorination, taste-and-odor control and organic-contaminant reduction when the exact supplied grade meets the required certification and quality requirements.
Food & beverage process water: Dechlorination and selected organics reduction using a grade confirmed for the applicable purity and regulatory requirements.
Reverse-osmosis pretreatment: Reduction of free chlorine upstream of chlorine-sensitive membrane systems where the carbon system is designed to meet the membrane feed-water requirement.
Wastewater polishing: Adsorption of selected residual organic compounds following upstream treatment.
Industrial liquid purification: Guard beds, polishing beds and compatible fixed-bed liquid-treatment systems.
Pilot & validation systems: Small-scale evaluation before full vessel loading or process conversion.

Why choose coal-based activated carbon?

Broad pore-size distribution: Coal-based carbon commonly provides a broader pore distribution than strongly microporous coconut-shell carbon, which can make it a useful starting point for diverse dissolved-organic profiles.
Liquid-phase versatility: Widely used across municipal, commercial and industrial water-treatment systems when the supplied grade meets the application requirements.
Durable granular form: Designed for retained fixed beds, pressure vessels and compatible filtration systems.
Multiple particle sizes: 8×30 and 12×40 mesh provide different balances of mass transfer, pressure drop and hydraulic performance.
Scalable packaging: Available for pilot systems, maintenance additions and larger production changeouts.
Established treatment technology: Granular activated carbon is widely used for water polishing, dechlorination and organic-contaminant adsorption.

Actual adsorption capacity, hardness, ash, moisture, iodine number, apparent density, pore distribution, extractables and regulatory suitability vary by exact grade. Confirm current technical documentation for the supplied product before final qualification.

Coal-based carbon is a pore-structure choice - not a quality ranking.

Coal-based GAC often provides a broader pore distribution than coconut-shell carbon, while coconut carbon commonly emphasizes microporosity and high hardness. Neither feedstock is universally better. Target-molecule size, water chemistry, contact time, vessel design and the complete carbon specification should determine the starting grade.

Learn more in our Activated Carbon Practical Guide .

Choose the appropriate mesh size

Selection factor	8×30 mesh	12×40 mesh
Granule size	Coarser	Finer
Pressure drop tendency	Generally lower at comparable flow and bed conditions	Generally higher at comparable flow and bed conditions
Mass-transfer tendency	Longer diffusion path than the finer grade	Shorter diffusion path can support faster mass transfer
Hydraulic emphasis	Often evaluated where lower resistance to flow or larger-vessel hydraulics are priorities	Often evaluated where faster mass transfer is worth the additional pressure-drop potential
Common starting fit	Larger industrial vessels, deeper beds and applications prioritizing hydraulic performance	Polishing vessels, smaller systems and applications prioritizing faster adsorption kinetics
Primary tradeoff	Lower flow resistance with a longer relative diffusion path	Faster relative mass transfer with greater resistance-to-flow potential

These are general particle-size tendencies, not universal design rules. Final performance depends on vessel geometry, media depth, loading rate, water chemistry, contaminant concentration, backwashing practices and the exact carbon grade.

8×30 vs. 12×40 is not a better-vs.-worse decision.

Finer GAC can improve mass-transfer kinetics, but smaller particles also increase resistance to flow. The appropriate mesh is the one that provides the required adsorption performance while remaining compatible with the vessel, underdrain, backwash strategy and allowable differential pressure.

What can coal-based GAC reduce?

Contaminant or treatment objective	General suitability	Important considerations
Free chlorine	Common activated-carbon application	Performance depends on flow, contact time, concentration, pH, temperature and carbon condition
Taste & odor compounds	Common polishing application	Effectiveness varies by compound and competitive organic loading
Dissolved organic compounds	Suitable for many compatible compounds	Pore-size compatibility, molecular size and background organic matter influence adsorption
Volatile organic compounds	Selected VOCs can be adsorbed	Confirm grade-specific adsorption data and breakthrough expectations for the target compound
Color-producing organics	May provide useful reduction	Color bodies vary significantly in molecular size and adsorption behavior; testing is recommended
Chloramine	Highly grade dependent	Catalytic activated carbon may be preferred for demanding chloramine applications
PFAS	Highly grade, compound and system dependent	Use carbon specifically evaluated for the target PFAS profile, water chemistry and treatment design
Dissolved metals & inorganic salts	Generally not the primary function of standard GAC	Specialty adsorbents or additional treatment technologies may be required

Important: Activated carbon is not equally effective for every contaminant. Treatment suitability should be confirmed through grade-specific manufacturer data, representative testing, process history or qualified system design.

Coal-based vs. coconut-shell GAC

Selection factor	Coal-based GAC	Coconut-shell GAC
General pore tendency	Often provides a broader distribution of micropores and mesopores	Typically more strongly microporous
Hardness tendency	Grade dependent	Often comparatively high
Common starting emphasis	Broad industrial organic adsorption and general-purpose water treatment	Smaller adsorbates, dechlorination and applications benefiting from strong microporosity and mechanical durability
Common applications	Municipal water, wastewater polishing, process water and industrial liquid purification	Drinking-water treatment, beverage/process water, dechlorination and selected organic adsorption
Final grade selection	Target contaminant, pore distribution, particle size, specifications and operating conditions	Target contaminant, pore distribution, particle size, specifications and operating conditions

Neither carbon source is universally better. Actual pore structure and performance vary by grade. The appropriate material depends on target contaminants, liquid chemistry, contact time, vessel design, regulatory requirements and treatment economics.

Compare Coconut-Shell Granular Activated Carbon →

How to read carbon activity specifications

Activated carbon should not be selected from one activity number alone. Specifications such as iodine number, BET surface area, CTC activity, hardness, ash and particle size describe different aspects of the carbon and should be interpreted in relation to the actual application.

Specification	What it helps describe
Iodine number	Indicator associated with micropore development and adsorption of relatively small molecules
BET surface area	Estimated accessible surface area, but not the complete pore-size distribution
Hardness	Resistance to attrition during handling, backwashing and service
Ash	Inorganic residue content that may matter in sensitive applications
Moisture	Water present in the supplied media and its contribution to shipping weight
Particle size	Influences mass transfer, pressure drop, backwashing and media retention

Higher iodine number does not automatically mean better carbon.

Iodine number is useful for comparing one aspect of activated-carbon pore development, but it does not describe the full pore distribution or predict performance against every contaminant. A carbon with a lower iodine number may outperform a higher-iodine grade if its pore structure and physical properties better fit the target molecule and treatment system.

Typical product characteristics

Product type	Coal-based granular activated carbon
Available particle sizes	8×30 mesh and 12×40 mesh
Physical form	Black granular adsorption media
Primary phase	Liquid-phase treatment
Common treatment functions	Dechlorination, taste-and-odor control, selected dissolved-organic adsorption and process-water polishing
Feedstock	Coal-based carbonaceous material
Available packaging	27.5 lb bags and 1,100 lb supersacks

Technical-data note: Sorbents Direct does not currently display a grade-specific TDS, SDS or COA for this general listing. Iodine number, hardness, ash, moisture, apparent density, pH, surface area, pore volume, certification status and other technical properties should be confirmed for the exact supplied grade before qualification or process design.

Packaging & availability

Package size	Typical use
27.5 lb (12.47 kg) bag	Pilot systems, small vessels, maintenance additions, sampling and incremental media replacement
1,100 lb (approximately 499 kg) supersack	Production vessels, larger bed changeouts, recurring industrial requirements and bulk handling systems

Mesh options: 8×30 and 12×40
Bag orders: Suitable for smaller systems, trials and manual vessel loading
Supersack orders: Suitable for bulk handling and production-scale carbon requirements
Freight: Parcel, pallet or LTL service based on package size, quantity and destination
Lead time: Confirmed at quotation or order placement
Volume purchasing: Contact Sorbents Direct for recurring requirements, pallet quantities or delivered bulk pricing

System design & sizing guidance

Activated-carbon performance depends on more than total media weight. A properly designed system should account for contaminant profile, influent concentration, required effluent quality, flow rate, vessel dimensions, bed depth, empty-bed contact time, pressure drop, competing organics, temperature and replacement strategy.

Flow rate: Influences hydraulic loading, contact time and pressure drop.
Empty-bed contact time: Provides a useful design variable for comparing the available carbon-bed volume with process flow. Appropriate EBCT depends on the contaminant and required performance.
Bed depth: Adequate depth helps establish a useful mass-transfer zone and delay breakthrough.
Influent concentration: Higher contaminant loading generally consumes available adsorption capacity more quickly.
Competing organics: Background organic matter may consume adsorption capacity or interfere with the target compound.
Particle size: Finer carbon may improve mass transfer but generally increases resistance to flow.
Replacement criteria: Treated-stream testing and breakthrough monitoring provide a practical basis for changeout.

For a deeper explanation of EBCT, pore structure and carbon-bed design variables, see the Activated Carbon Practical Guide .

Share your flow rate, vessel dimensions, bed depth, target contaminant, influent concentration and required effluent quality through our contact page for product-selection and preliminary grade assistance.

Installation & startup considerations

Inspect the vessel, distributors, screens, underdrain and retention components before loading.
Confirm that the selected mesh is compatible with the vessel internals and retention system.
Load carbon using methods that minimize breakage and airborne dust.
Allow sufficient freeboard when backwashing is part of the system design.
Flush or backwash new carbon where required to remove transport fines and settle the media bed.
Do not place a critical system into service until startup water or process liquid meets the required quality specification.
Record initial pressure drop and treated-stream quality to establish an operating baseline.

Startup procedures should follow the vessel manufacturer's instructions, grade-specific carbon documentation and the requirements of the actual treatment process.

Handling & storage

Store unused activated carbon in a clean, dry and protected area.
Keep bags and supersacks closed until use.
Prevent contamination by oils, solvents, chemicals and foreign material.
Minimize dust generation during unloading, transfer and vessel filling.
Use suitable ventilation and personal protective equipment as specified by the current SDS.
Wet activated carbon can reduce oxygen in enclosed spaces; follow applicable confined-space procedures.
Keep activated carbon away from strong oxidizers and other incompatible materials identified in the SDS.
Handle spent carbon based on the compounds it has adsorbed and applicable waste-management requirements.

Important: The hazards and disposal classification of spent carbon depend on the treated contaminants. Review current product documentation and site-specific procedures before use, removal, storage, transportation, reactivation or disposal.

Reactivation & spent-carbon management

Thermal reactivation may be practical for larger quantities of spent granular activated carbon. Feasibility depends on carbon volume, adsorbed contaminants, transportation cost, reactivation losses, regulatory requirements and facility acceptance.

Characterize spent carbon before transportation or disposal.
Do not assume the unused-carbon classification remains applicable after the material has entered service.
Confirm whether adsorbed compounds create special handling or waste requirements.
Evaluate reactivation, disposal and replacement economics for the actual application.

Sorbents Direct can help identify product and process information commonly requested by reactivation or disposal providers, but final acceptance must be confirmed with the applicable facility.

Shipping & support

Nationwide shipping: Parcel and LTL freight service available throughout the United States.
Freight options: Liftgate, delivery appointment and other accessorial services may be available where required.
Small and bulk formats: Package options for pilot systems, maintenance and production vessels.
Volume purchasing: Support for recurring requirements, pallet quantities and supersack orders.
Technical assistance: Share your flow, target contaminant, vessel geometry and pressure-drop limits for mesh and grade-selection guidance.

Why buy from Sorbents Direct?

Activated-carbon selection involves more than choosing a bag size. Sorbents Direct helps industrial buyers compare carbon source, mesh, packaging, freight, documentation and process requirements before purchase.

Transparent online pricing on qualifying package sizes and product variants.
Small and bulk formats for trials, maintenance and larger production beds.
Live freight quotes at checkout for eligible shipments.
Manufacturer documentation including SDS, TDS and COA when available.
Technical selection support based on flow, contaminant targets, bed geometry and pressure-drop requirements.
Bulk purchasing assistance for recurring industrial requirements.
Commercial sourcing support for buyers comparing existing activated-carbon grades.

Need another activated-carbon form or base material?

Browse the Activated Carbon collection for coal-based and coconut-shell GAC, powdered carbon, pelletized carbon and other industrial grades.

For larger recurring requirements, see Bulk Industrial Adsorbents & Filtration Media Supplier .

Documentation & quality support

Available documentation may include:

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Certificate of Analysis for the supplied production lot, when available
Particle-size and packaging information
Food, water or regulatory documentation where applicable to the exact grade
Freight and handling information

Specific certifications and compliance claims should not be assumed for this general listing. When NSF/ANSI, drinking-water, food-processing, acid-washed, low-ash, catalytic or another qualification is required, identify it before ordering so an appropriate carbon grade can be confirmed.

Visit our Documentation Center or contact Sorbents Direct to request available documentation for the required mesh, grade and package size.

Need help choosing the right activated carbon?

The appropriate activated carbon depends on the target contaminant, water chemistry, flow rate, contact-time requirement, vessel design, pressure-drop limit, regulatory requirements and replacement strategy. Sorbents Direct can help compare coal-based, coconut-shell, powdered, pelletized and specialty activated-carbon options for controlled evaluation.

Questions & answers

What is coal-based granular activated carbon?

Coal-based GAC is granular activated carbon manufactured from coal-derived carbonaceous material. It is widely used in compatible municipal and industrial water treatment, dechlorination, taste-and-odor control and dissolved-organic adsorption.

What is the difference between 8×30 and 12×40 mesh?

8×30 is the coarser particle-size range and generally produces lower pressure drop under comparable conditions. 12×40 is finer and can provide faster relative mass transfer, but usually creates greater resistance to flow.

Which mesh is better for water treatment?

Neither is universally better. The appropriate mesh depends on vessel geometry, flow rate, bed depth, required mass transfer, backwash design, media retention and allowable pressure drop.

What is the difference between coal-based and coconut-shell activated carbon?

Coal-based GAC often provides a broader pore distribution, while coconut-shell carbon typically emphasizes microporosity and high hardness. Neither base material is universally superior. The target contaminant, pore structure and process conditions should determine the starting grade.

Compare Coconut-Shell GAC →

Does a higher iodine number mean better activated carbon?

No. Iodine number characterizes one aspect of activated-carbon pore development and is useful for comparing certain grades, but it does not describe the complete pore distribution or predict performance for every contaminant. The full carbon specification and treatment conditions should be considered.

Does coal-based GAC remove chlorine?

Coal-based granular activated carbon is commonly used for free-chlorine reduction. Performance depends on influent concentration, pH, temperature, flow, contact time, bed depth and carbon condition.

Can this carbon be used before reverse osmosis?

GAC is commonly used to reduce free chlorine upstream of chlorine-sensitive RO membranes. The exact carbon system should be designed to meet the membrane manufacturer's feed-water requirements.

Does coal-based carbon remove chloramine?

Standard GAC may reduce chloramine, but catalytic activated carbon is often preferred for demanding chloramine-removal applications. Confirm the required removal rate, water chemistry and exact carbon grade before selection.

Can this carbon be used for drinking water or food and beverage processing?

Coal-based GAC is used in these industries, but the exact supplied grade must meet the required certification, purity and regulatory standards for the specific application. Request applicable documentation before ordering.

Does coal-based GAC remove PFAS?

Certain activated-carbon grades are used in PFAS treatment, but performance varies significantly by PFAS compound, chain length, carbon grade, water chemistry, competing organic matter, bed design and required treatment level. Use a grade and system specifically evaluated for the target application.

Can coal-based GAC be reactivated?

Many granular activated carbons can potentially be thermally reactivated. Practical suitability depends on the exact carbon, adsorbed compounds, quantity, transportation requirements, economics and acceptance criteria of the reactivation facility.

What documentation is available?

SDS, TDS and lot-specific COA documentation may be available for the exact supplied grade. Regulatory or certification documents should be requested before ordering when required.