Activated Carbon Capacity Index Chart Explanation

The capacity index chart lists substances by both chemical and common name. It
is a general list of the most common compounds found in the workplace. The
efficiency and capacity of activated carbon to adsorb these substances varies
with the concentration in the air, relative humidity and temperature. The capacity
index numbers are representative under average conditions and may vary under
local conditions.

Interpretation

All substances are rated on a scale from 1 – 4.

4. High adsorption capacity. Substances are adsorbed very efficiently.

One pound of activated carbon adsorbs about 20% to 50% of its own
weight – average about 1/3 (33-1/3%). This category includes most of
the odor causing substances.

3. Satisfactory adsorption capacity. Substances are adsorbed well, but

not as efficiently as substances rated 4. One pound of activated carbon
adsorbs about 10 to 25% of its weight – average about 1/6 (16.7%).

2. Moderate adsorption capacity. Substances are not highly absorbed

but might be adsorbed sufficiently to give acceptable results under the
particular operating conditions. These require individual checking

1. Poor adsorption capacity. Substances that are not adsorbed by

activated carbon fall into this category

Note: Substances marked with *** are not adequately adsorbed

by standard activated carbon. It is necessary to use treated
(KMN) carbon to increase the adsorption efficiency.
 CARBON CAPACITY INDEX
See Activated Carbon Capacity Index Chart Explanation

Index Substance Index Substance Index Substance Index

Acetaldehyde*** 2 Decane 4 Iodoform 4 Pentylene*** 3

Acetic Acid 4 Decaying Substances 4 Irritants 4 Penlyne*** 3
Acetic Anhydride 4 Deodorants 4 Isophorone 4 Perchloroethylene 4
Acetone 3 Detergents 4 Isoprene*** 3 Perfumes, Cosmetics 4
Acetylene*** 1 Dibromethane 4 4 Isopropyl Acetate 4 Perspirations 4
Dichlorobenzene
Acrolain*** 3 Dichlorodifluoromethane 4 Isopropyl Alcohol 4 Persistant Odors 4
Acrylic Acid 4 Dichloroethane 4 Isopropyl Ether 4 Pet Odors 4
Acrylonitrile 4 Dichloroethylene 4 Kerosene 4 Phenol 4
Adhesives 4 Dichloroethyl Ether 4 Kitchen Odors 4 Phoagene 3
Air-Wick 4 Dichloromonofluormethane 3 Lactic Acid 4 Pitch 4
Alcoholic 4 Dichloronitroethane 4 Lingering Odors 4 Plastics 4
Beverages
Amines*** 2 Dichloropropane 4 Liquid Fuels 4 Pollen 3
Ammonia*** 2 Dichlorotetrafluoroethane 4 Liquid Odors 4 Popcorn & Candy 4
Amyl Acetate 4 Diesel Fumes & Odors 4 Lubricating Oils & Greases 4 Poultry Odors 4
Amyl Alcohol 4 Diethylamine*** 3 Lysol 4 Propane 2
Amyl Ether 4 Diethyl Ketone 4 Masking Agents 4 Proplonaldehyde*** 3
Animal Odors 3 Dimethylaniline 4 Medicinal Odors 4 Proplonic Acid 4
Anesthetics 3 Dimethylsulfate 4 Melons 4 Propyl Acetate 4
Aniline 4 Dioxane 4 Menthol 4 Propyl Alcohol 4
Antiseptics 4 Dipropyl Ketone 4 Mercaptans 4 Propyl Chloride 4
Asphalt Fumes 4 Disinfectants 4 Mesityl Oxide 4 Propyl Ether 4
Automobile Exhaust 3 Embalming Odors 4 Methane 1 Propyl Mercaptan 4
Bathroom Smells 4 Ethane 1 Methyl Acetate 3 Propylene*** 2
Bleaching 3 Ether 3 Methyl Acrylate 4 Propyne*** 2
Solutions***
Body Odors 4 Ethyl Acetate 4 Methyl Alcohol 3 Purefying Substances 3
Borane 3 Ethyl Acrylic 4 Methyl Bromide 3 Putrescine 4
Bromine 4 Ethyl Alcohol 4 Methyl Buty Ketone 4 Pyridine 4
Burned Flesh 4 Ethyl Amine*** 3 Methyl Cellosolve 4 Radiation Products 2
Burned Food 4 Ethyl Benzene 4 Methyl Cellosolve Acetate 4 Rancid Oils 4
Burning Fat 4 Ethyl Bromide 4 Methyl Chloride 3 Resins 4
Butadiene 3 Ethyl Chloride 3 Methyl Chloroform 3 Reodorants 4
Butane 2 Ethyl Ether 3 Methyl Ether 3 Ripening Fruits 4
Butonone 4 Ethyl Formate 3 Methyl Ethyl Ketone 4 Rubber 4
Butyl Acetate 4 Ethyl Mercaptan 3 Methyl Formate 3 Sauerkraut 4
Butyl Aclcohol 4 Ethyl Silicate 4 Methyl Isobutyl Ketone 4 Sewer Odors 4
Butyl Cellosolve 4 Ethylene*** 1 Methyl Mercaptan 4 Skatole 4
Butyl Chloride 4 Ethylene Chlorhydrin 4 Methylcyclohexane 4 Slaughtering Odors 3
Butyl Ether 4 Ethylene Dichloride 4 Methylcyclohexanol 4 Smog 4
Butylene*** 2 EthyleneOxide 3 Methylcyclohexone 4 Soaps 4
Butyne*** 2 Essential Oils 4 Methylene Chloride 4 Smoke 4
Butyraldehyde*** 3 Eucalyptole 4 Mildew 3 Solvents 3
Butyric Acid 4 Exhaust Fumes 3 Mixed Odors 4 Sour Milks 4
Camphor 4 Fertilizer 4 Mold 3 Spilled Beverages 4
Cancer Odor 4 Film Processing Odor 3 Momochlorobenzene 4 Spoiled Foodstuffs 4
Caprylic Acid 4 Fish Odors 4 Monofluorotrichloromethan 4 Stale Odors 4
e
Carbolic Acid 4 Floral Scents 4 Moth Balls 4 Stoddard Solvent 4
Carbon Disulfide 4 Fluorotrichloromethane 3 Naptha (Coal Tar) 4 Stuffiness 4
Carbon Dioxide*** 1 Food Aromas 4 Naptha (Petroleum) 4 Styrene Monomer 4
Carbon Monoxide 1 Formaldehyde*** 2 Napthalene 4 Sulfur Dioxide*** 2
Carbon 4 Formic Acid 3 Nicotine 4 Sulfur Trioxide*** 3
Tetrachloride
Cellosolve 4 Fuel Gases 2 Nitric Acid*** 3 Sulfuric Acid 4
Cellosolve Acetate 4 Fumes 3 Nitro Benzenes 4 Tar 4
Charred Materials 4 Gangrene 4 Nitroethane 4 Tarniching Gases*** 3
Cheese 4 Garlic 4 Nitrogen Dioxide*** 2 Tetrachloroethane 4
Chlorine 3 Gasoline 4 Nitroglycerine 4 Theatrical Makeup 4
Odors
 CARBON CAPACITY INDEX
See Activated Carbon Capacity Index Chart Explanation
Chlorobenzene 4 Heptane 4 Nitromethane 4 Tobacco Smoke Odors 4
Chlorobutadiene 4 Heptylene 4 Nitropropane 4 Toilet Odors 4
Chloroform 4 Hexane 3 Nonane 4 Toluene 4
Chloronitropropane 4 Hexylene*** 3 Octalene 4 Toluldine 4
Chloropicrine 4 Hexyne*** 3 Octane 4 Trichlorethylene 4
Cigarette Smoke 4 Hospital Odors 4 Odorants 4 Trichloroethane 4
Odors
Citrus & Other 4 Household Smells 4 Onions 4 Turpentine 4
Fruits
Cleaning 4 Hydrogen 1 Organic Chemicals 4 Urea 4
Compounds
Combustion Odors 3 Hydrogen Bromide*** 2 Ozone 4 Uric Acid 4
Cooking Odors 4 Hydrogen Chloride*** 2 Packing House Odors 4 Valeric Acid 4
Corosive Gases 3 Hydrogen Cyanide*** 2 Paint & Redecorating Odors 4 Valericaldehyde 4
Creosole 4 Hydrogen Fluoride*** 2 Palmitic Acid 4 Varnish Fumes 4
Cresol 4 Hydrogen Iodide*** 3 Paper Deteriorations 4 Vinegar 4
Crolonaldehyde 4 Hydrogen Salenide*** 2 Paradichlorobenzene 4 Vinyl Chloride 3
Cyclohexane 4 Hydrogen Sulfine*** 3 Paste & Glue 4 Waste Products 3
Cyclohexanol 4 Incense 4 Pentane 3 Wood Alcohol 3
Cyclohexanone 4 Indole 4 Pentanone 4 Xylene 4
Cholohexene 4 Iodine 4