Judging the quality of coconut shell activated carbon can be approached from several core dimensions, including adsorption performance, physical indicators, and safety. The following summarizes common methods.

1. Appearance and Physical Characteristics Observation: High-quality coconut shell activated carbon typically has a uniform color (dark brown or black), consistent particle size (common particle size 2-4mm), and a surface with obvious pores and no impurities. When gently squeezed, the particles should be firm and not easily broken, with a smooth feel, and only slight blackening on the fingertips.

2. Simple Household Testing Methods

Water Immersion Test: Place a small amount of activated carbon in clean water. High-quality products will produce numerous tiny bubbles within 30 seconds, and the water will become clear within 3-5 minutes; inferior products will produce almost no bubbles or the water will remain cloudy for a long time.

Tactile Feel: High-quality activated carbon particles are intact and do not break when lightly pressed; inferior products are easily broken and produce a lot of powder.

3. Key Testing Indicators Reference

The adsorption capacity of activated carbon is mainly quantified by the following indicators:

Iodine Adsorption Value: Reflects the adsorption capacity for small molecules. High-quality coconut shell activated carbon typically has an iodine value ≥800mg/g (e.g., an iodine value above 1080 is considered a high iodine value product).

Methylene Blue Adsorption Value: Measures the adsorption capacity for large molecules. A high-quality value is generally ≥150mg/g.

Other indicators such as butane number, moisture content, and ash content must also meet standards (e.g., moisture <5%, ash content 6%-16%).

4. Certification and Testing Reports

When purchasing, you can request the manufacturer to provide authoritative testing reports (such as those based on GB/T, ASTM, etc. standards) to verify key parameters such as iodine value and methylene blue value through professional institutions, ensuring that the product meets environmental or safety requirements.