Have you ever thought about the use of silicone tubes in the food industry? These are also called food silicone tubes. But do you know how they work in terms of adsorption? We’re familiar with the adsorption effect of activated carbon. So, are the adsorption principles of silicone tubes and activated carbon the same?
Silicone tubes are a modern type of pipe used for transporting liquids or gases. Their adsorption power is far weaker than that of activated carbon, only about 10% of its strength. Consider a long water pipe. There are often various substances in the water. When these substances meet the adsorption property of the pipe, some of them will gradually stick to the inner wall. As more substances accumulate, the pipe can easily get blocked. For certain filtering devices, highly adsorbent tubes are essential to filter out stains.
The Difference Between Silicone Tube Devices and Activated Carbon
Installing activated carbon inside silicone tubes is now quite common. Besides its strong adsorption ability, real activated carbon can filter out a large amount of dirt. However, the quality of the activated carbon installed in the tubes can vary. This quality depends on both the activated carbon itself and the pipe materials. Some people mistakenly believe that silicone has no adsorption ability. But that’s not true. When silicone combines with a more powerful adsorption material, it can enhance the overall adsorption effect. It’s like two magnets attracting each other—they can complement one another.
Comparing the Adsorption Principles
Activated carbon can adsorb organic substances and a wide range of materials. In contrast, the adsorption principle of silicone tubes is more limited. Not all substances can be adsorbed. For instance, silicone tubes don’t adsorb metal substances. They also have no effect on dry substances. Instead, they tend to adsorb soft, small – sized items.
In conclusion, the adsorption principles of silicone tubes and activated carbon are distinct. As a result, their applications also differ significantly.