Abstract: A system for regenerating or manufacturing activated carbon wherein exhaust gases and vapors for various lower sections of the furnace are recycled in up-flow fashion to higher sections of the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for regenerating or manufacturing activated carbon wherein the exhaust gases and vapors from various sections of the furnace are supplied to other sections of the furnace in a recycling manner or are simultaneously cleaned and transformed into fuel gas. In a down-flow embodiment, the water vapor and calorific gasses generated in excess in the drying and devolatilization sections, respectively, are provided, either directly or through a combustion chamber, to the activation section. In an up-flow embodiment, heat from the activation section is recycled to the drying and devolatilization section and the down-flow brings the water vapor from the drying section and volatile material from the devolatilization section into the activation section where it can be effectively used.