Abstract: A method for producing self-supporting activated carbon structures is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of mixing a granular activated carbon, a binder material, a carbonization agent, and a liquid to produce a semi-plastic mixture; compacting the mixture using compacting pressures of or greater than about 100 pounds per square inch to form a three-dimensional structure; and heating the structure to an elevated temperature of or greater than about 300° C. to produce a self-supporting activated carbon structure. The granular activated carbon is of any particle size between approximately 4 and 325 mesh U.S. Sieve Series, and the binder is a ground cereal grain, cereal rain flour or a tuber flour. The resultant structure may then be cooled to near-ambient temperatures under an essentially inert atmosphere. Such structures can exhibit good mechanical strengths, adsorption capacities nearly equivalent to those of the activated carbon used in their preparation, and appreciable electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of a carbonaceous char capable of catalyzing the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions. This carbonaceous char is produced from a bituminous coal or a bituminous material that has been carbonized and extensively oxidized at low (less than 700° C.) temperatures. The resultant carbonized and oxidized bituminous coal or bituminous material is then contacted with a nitrogen-containing compound in combination with at least one of sucrose or fructose as the temperature of the low-temperature char is increased to greater than 700° C. This treatment results in a high-temperature char which may then be activated as desired. These activated chars show the aforementioned ability to rapidly decompose aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide and are also useful for the catalytic decomposition of H2S, SOx, NOx, chloramines, and/or peroxides in liquid and/or gaseous streams.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the manufacture of N-phosphonomethylglycine from N-phophonomethyliminodiacetic acid in the presence of a molecular-oxygen containing gas utilizing a catalytically active carbonaceous char. The improvement is provided by the use of a carbonaceous char capable of rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon. Also use of this carbon in a water treatment system reduces the aluminum concentration of the water when compared to an untreated carbon.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of a carbonaceous char capable of catalyzing the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions. This carbonaceous char is produced from a bituminous coal or a bituminous material that has been carbonized and extensively oxidized at low temperatures (less than 700.degree. C.). The resultant carbonized and oxidized bituminous coal or bituminous material is then contacted with a nitrogen-containing compound in combination with an aliphatic organic compound containing both ether and alcohol functionalities as the temperature of the low-temperature char is increased to minimally 700.degree. C. This treatment results in a high-temperature char which may then be activated as desired. These activated chars show the aforementioned ability to rapidly decompose aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide and are also useful for the catalytic chemical conversion of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x, chloramines, and/or peroxides in liquid and/or gaseous streams.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for filtration of air within enclosed spaces. Improvement is achieved by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char that is catalytically active for the removal of certain undesirable constituents from contaminated air under ambient temperature conditions. This carbonaceous char is used as an air filtration medium and incorporated into an air filtration device by any of a number of technologies. Such devices may be used for removal of contaminants such as NO.sub.x, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.x, SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, mercaptans, light aliphatic gases such as butane and propane and other compounds such as benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, amines and the like from enclosed or confined structures such as buildings or vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, trucks, farm equipment, and the like.

Abstract: Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method for filtration of air within enclosed spaces. Improvement is achieved by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char that is catalytically active for the removal of certain undesirable constituents from contaminated air under ambient temperature conditions. This carbonaceous char is used as an air filtration medium and incorporated into an air filtration device by any of a number of technologies. Such devices may be used for removal of contaminants such as NO.sub.x, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.x, SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, mercaptans, light aliphatic gases such as butane and propane and other compounds such as benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, amines and the like from enclosed or confined structures such as buildings or vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, trucks, farm equipment, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for the removal of metalloid and non-metal hydrides from gas or liquid media. The improvement is provided by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char derived from a carbonaceous feedstock which has been exposed to nitrogen-containing compounds at temperatures above 700.degree. C. In the preferred embodiment of the method, the high-temperature carbonaceous char is prepared by carbonizing and oxidizing a bituminous coal at temperatures less than 700.degree. C followed by exposure to urea, ammonia, or nitrogen-containing compound as the temperature is raised to above 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating the catalytic activity of carbonaceous chars via the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in contact with such materials. In this method the rise in temperature occasioned by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide under essentially adiabatic conditions is monitored as a function of time. By use of this method, carbonaceous chars having high catalytic activities may be rapidly and conveniently identified.

Abstract: Carbonaceous chars capable of catalytically decomposing aqueous hydrogen peroxide at higher rates at given char densities than other known catalytic chars are provided for. This improvement is provided by an increase in the catalytic activity at a given char density of the said catalytically-active carbonaceous char. The catalytically-active carbonaceous chars are useful for, but not limited to, the catalytic conversion of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x, peroxides, and/or chloramines in liquid and/or gaseous media.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the removal of chloramines from gas or liquid media by contacting said media with a catalytically-active carbonaceous char. The improvement is provided by the use of a carbonaceous char capable of rapidly decomposing hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a carbon molecular sieve, having a nitrogen diffusivity of less than 2600.times.10.sup.-8 cm.sup.2 /second, impregnated with from about 0.005 to about 15 percent, by weight, of a mercury reactive material.The instant invention is also directed to a process for removing mercury vapor from gas streams which comprises passing a gas stream containing mercury vapor into contact with a carbon molecular sieve, having a nitrogen diffusivity of less than 2600.times.10.sup.-8 cm.sup.2 /second, impregnated with from about 0.005 to about 15 percent, by weight, of a mercury reactive material.