Studies on the Manufacture of Activated Carbon for Liquid Phase from the Rubber Wood Charcoal

Abstract

A basic study on producing activated carbon from the rubber wood charcoal using both a rotary kiln and a shaft furnace was performed, and the following results were obtained.(1) As the operation conditions for producing activated carbon with a decoloring power of over 160 me/g for Methylene Blue solution, 1000°C of activation temperature, 30min.of retention time and steam-char ratio of approx.1.7, granular size of charcoal smaller than 10mm are suitable for the rotary kiln, and under such conditions the yield is about 34-39%.(2) As the result of installation of a side burner around lengthwise middle of the rotary kiln to decrease temperature gradient, decoloring power of produced activated carbon is increased to 190-200 ml/g for Methylene Blue solution without decreasing the yield.(3) As the operation conditions for producing activated carbon, charcoal granular size 12 80 mesh, activation temperature 1120°C, steam-char ratio approx.0.4 are suitable for the shaft furnace, and the yield is 25-30%.Decoloring power of produced activated carbon is approx.140 rne/g for Methylene Blue solution, but the power can be increased to more than 160 me/g by water and acid washing to remove most of ash.