Activated carbon is a very useful adsorbent used to purify, dechlorinate, deodorize and decolorize both liquid and vapor applications. It is also useful in.Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal, is a form of carbon processed to have small, low-volume pores that increase the surface area available for.Activated carbon is purified, powdered charcoal. It is treated physically or chemically to generate microfissures that vastly increase its adsorptive surface .