Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous high temperature treatment of sulfur-containing carbonaceous particles in an electrothermally heated fluidized bed is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a fluidizing stream is passed through carbonaceous particles introduced into a fluidizing zone at a velocity sufficient to fluidize said carbonaceous particles. The carbonaceous particles are heated in a fluidized state, and controllably fed into and discharged from the fluidizing zone at a rate sufficient to assure that the sulfur content of the particles are reduced below 0.5%. In another aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the carbonaceous material is transformed from a relatively amorphous molecular state, into a graphite crystalline state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous high temperature treatment of sulfur-containing carbonaceous particles in an electrothermally heated fluidized bed is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a fluidizing stream is passed through carbonaceous particles introduced into a fluidizing zone at a velocity sufficient to fluidize said carbonaceous particles. The carbonaceous particles are heated in a fluidized state, and controllably fed into and discharged from the fluidizing zone at a rate sufficient to assure that the sulfur content of the particles are reduced below 0.5%. In another aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the carbonaceous material is transformed from a relatively amorphous molecular state, into a graphite crystalline state.