GB228582A - Process for the production of active carbons - Google Patents

Abstract

228,582. Potts, H. E., (Algemeene Norit Maatschappij). Aug. 9, 1923. Carbon.-Active carbon is prepared by introducing finely divided carbonaceous material into a hot chamber where it is maintained in suspension by gas and is activated by gas and finally drawing off the activated portion by virtue of its lower apparent specific gravity. The raw or predistilled material, such as fruit pips, wood, peat, lignite or other materials of vegetable, animal or mineral origin, may be fed to a container 1 leading to a down passage 2 provided with an injector 3, and upon entering the activation chamber 4 it encounters a number of jets of gas of which 6, 6<1> may supply combustible gas mixture or fluid fuel and steam. The blast of steam is so regulated as to keep the material in suspension for a sufficient time for it to become activated, and finally the gases and activated carbon are drawn off by means of an exhauster 12 through a. conduit 7, settling chambers 8, 9 and dust collector 13, while the unactivated material remains behind. The activated material deposits in the chambers 8, 9 and is drawn off into containers 10, 11. To obtain better heat conduction within the activating chamber, the latter may be provided with heat radiating surfaces, such as transversely disposed and staggered baffle rods 14 of heat refractory material, such as silica, fireclay, or magnesia. Instead of or in addition to internal heating, burning gases, benzene, crude oil, petroleum &c. or other form of internal or external heating may be employed, such as by the provision of electrically heated rods or internally heated pipes. The nature of the raw material, and the temperature, quantity, quality, and velocity of the gases may be adjusted so as to obtain products of known activity or novel products of enhanced activity, and the Specification sets out a, number of the properties of these novel products. An example shows the production of a novel carbon bv treating finely divided pine-wood charcoal in a retort to which crude oil, air and steam are fed, while another example shows the production of a known carbon by varying the temperature and size and rate of charging of the charcoal. The new products are especially useful for gas absorption, as catalysts and for the purification and sterilization of sugar juices, water, oils, such as linseed and soya bean oils, fats and other liquids. Specifications 198,328 and 206,862 are referred to. The Provisional Specifications state in addition that suitable activating gases are carbon dioxide, producer gas, water gas, Mond gas, air, chlorine, sulphur dioxide, volatile chlorides, ammonia &c., and that irregular lumps of quartz or the like may be placed in the activating chamber.