Research on the Development of Technologies for the Production of Granulated Activated Carbons Using Various Binders.

Iwona Skoczko,Remigiusz Guminski

doi:10.3390/ma13225180

Abstract

Activated carbons (ACs) are processed carbon-rich materials with a highly developed inner surface and significant porosity used for different media treatment in municipal and industrial plants. Activated carbon may be manufactured as powdered activated carbon (PAC), gritty activated carbon (in a form of raw angels grains) or granulated activated carbon (GAC). The production of the GAC is based on carbonaceous raw materials and various types of binders. The carbon mass is mixed with the binder and formed in cylindrical granules. The binder’s recognition is in a scientific literature side-topic and still needs wider examination. For many years GAC production have been concentrated on the possibility of using sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC). Therefore, the aim of the research was to develop a new binder, in the available technology of granulated activated carbon production. Such binders were tested such as: tall oil (TO), sugar beet molasses (SBM), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), SCMC using a verified technological process and SCMC with the addition of gas tar (GT). The conducted research shows that all the quality requirements were met by activated carbons with SBM as a binder. Additionally they showed very high adsorption properties. The manufacturing process was shorter in comparison to other tested binders and more efficient.

Highlights

Activated carbons (ACs) are processed carbon-rich materials with a highly developed inner surface and significant porosity
The paper present the results of the research carried out on raw materials, semifinished and final granulated activated carbon (GAC) products from individual technological process stages
There was estimated that the new GAC due to its high specific surface area and developed pore structure may be highly effective in removing organic contaminants, pesticides, detergents and a number of micro pollutants harmful to health from water

Summary

Introduction

Activated carbons (ACs) are processed carbon-rich materials with a highly developed inner surface and significant porosity. They play an important role in the processes of liquid and gas treatment in municipal and industrial plants. Carbon adsorbents have found application in the processes of air purification from odor-generating plants (i.e., sewage treatment plants) and in pollutants contained in combustion and waste gases [3,4,5]. The essence of the use of activated carbon is to optimize the process of individual media treatment (water, sewage, gases, air, etc.) taking into account economic and technological conditions [3,4,5]. Apart from coal raw materials, various types of binders are used to produce activated carbons. Coal tar, methyl cellulose, bentonite, clay, sugars, glycerine, glycol, Materials 2020, 13, 5180; doi:10.3390/ma13225180 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

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