Abstract: In order to produce mineralic bodies of high porosity, usable inter alia as adsorbers, purifiers and catalyst carriers, a predominantly mineralic mass with organic admixtures--both preferably obtained from industrial waste products--are subjected to a three-phase treatment. In a first phase, the mass is heated in an inert or reducing atmosphere to a sintering temperature between about 1000.degree. C. and 1350.degree. C. whereby the organic constituents are carbonized and partly penetrate the consolidating mineralic structure. In a second phase, still under the same nonoxidizing atmosphere and at the sintering temperature referred to, the mineralic structure is sintered into a coherent matrix. In a third phase, with reduction of the temperature to a lower level between about 600.degree. and 1000.degree. C. and exposure to the atmosphere, the carbonaceous substances occluded in the mineralic skeleton are burned off to increase its porosity.

Abstract: A composite mass with a major proportion of inorganic material and a minor proportion of organic material, preferably from industrial waste products, is activated by dehydration of its organic constituents whereupon the mass is subjected to a two-phase pyrolytic process. In a first stage, lasting for 2 to 3 hours it is heated to about 600.degree. C. with carbonization of the organic constituents; in a second stage, lasting for 1 to 2 hours, the mass is sintered or consolidated at a temperature between about 900.degree. and 1150.degree. C.