Abstract: Biomass combustion processes may be controlled to intentionally generate a carbon-containing ash, from which activated carbon is produced according to the methods disclosed. Some variations provide an economically attractive process for producing an activated carbon product, the process comprising combusting a carbon-containing feedstock to generate energy, combustion products, and ash, wherein the ash contains at least 10 wt % carbon; separating and recovering carbon contained in said ash; and further activating or treating the separated carbon, to generate an activated carbon product. Many process variations are disclosed, and uses for the activated carbon product are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for removing toxic industrial compounds from air are disclosed, wherein said composition comprises a mixture of hydrous metal oxide and graphite oxide. In a most preferred embodiment the composition comprises a mixture of zirconium hydroxide and graphene oxide.

Abstract: High-strength porous carbon and a method of its manufacture are described for multifunctional applications, such as ballistic protection, structural components, ultracapacitor electrodes, gas storage, and radiation shielding. The carbon is produced from a polymer precursor via carbonization, and optionally by surface activation and post-treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for utilizing biomass, in which the biomass is pyrolyzed during a heat treatment process to obtain driven-out gas and remaining carbon-rich solids. It is an object of the invention to specify a method for utilizing biomass, which is based on comparatively expensive feedstocks, but in return gives products of value with unusually good properties, the proceeds of which make the process economically viable. This object is achieved firstly by using a biomass having a lignin content of 10 to 30% by weight and a water content of 5 to 25% by weight, and by virtue of a heat treatment process comprising three residence times each on a respective level of temperature, wherein the first residence time lasts between 10 and 40 minutes, particularly of 30 minutes at a temperature level between 130 and 280° C., particularly of 250° C.; the second residence time lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, particularly of 10 minutes at a temperature level between 300 and 500° C., particularly of 400° C.

Abstract: A gas mixture preheated to high temperatures using an oxy-fuel, an oxygen-enriched air-fuel or an air-fuel burner is used to devolatilize and partially oxidize carbonaceous feedstock, thereby producing an active residual char that can be used in applications utilizing activated carbon. Use of hot gas and ground carbonaceous feedstock allows the equipment to be minimized, thereby allowing the activated carbon to be produced at or near points of use, for example the production of activated char at or near utility boilers for use in the reduction of mercury emissions from flue gas streams.

Abstract: Solid adsorbents, following their use for mercury removal from flue gas, that do not interfere with the ability of air-entraining additives (such as surfactants) to form stable bubbles when added to fly ash containing the adsorbents. The interference is overcome by heating the materials used in the manufacture of the adsorbent so that magnesium hydroxide and/or one or more alkali compounds containing one or more silicate, aluminate, and/or phosphate moiety, added or already present in the materials, binds multivalent cations present in the materials that could otherwise interfere with the surfactant activity.

Abstract: Provided is a production process for a carbonized product characterized by comprising the following steps (a) to (b): (a) a step in which metal-made or ceramic-made plural granular matters are charged into a heat treating apparatus which is maintained at a temperature of 400° C. or higher and 700° C. or lower and allowed to move therein and in which a carbonized product precursor is fed into the above apparatus and subjected to heat treatment, whereby the carbonized product is adhered on the surface of the above granular matters and (b) a step in which the carbonized product adhered on the surface of the granular matters is heated at a higher temperature than the heat treating temperature in the step (a) and 900° C. or lower, whereby the carbonized product is separated from the granular matters. The present invention provides a production process for an inexpensive and useful carbonized product by simple apparatus and steps.

Abstract: A method for producing high capacity gas-storage microporous sorbents involves precursor carbonization under relatively severe heat-treatment conditions, normally followed by activation using a cyclic chemisorption-desorption process.

Abstract: A bead is provided which comprises or consists essentially of activated carbon immobilized by crosslinked poly(carboxylic acid) binder, sodium silicate binder, or polyamine binder. The bead is effective to remove metal and other ionic contaminants from dilute aqueous solutions. A method of making metal-ion sorbing beads is provided, comprising combining activated carbon, and binder solution (preferably in a pin mixer where it is whipped), forming wet beads, and heating and drying the beads. The binder solution is preferably poly(acrylic acid) and glycerol dissolved in water and the wet beads formed from such binder solution are preferably heated and crosslinked in a convection oven.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid fine-celled foam composition and a method of producing it. The foam composition is nontoxic, environmentally friendly, has improved absorption/adsorption and retention of liquids, is not as hard as prior art foams, does not include polymerization by-products detrimental to flower and plant life, and is a foamed mixture of a caustic silicate solution derived from the caustic digestion of rice hull ash having diffused activated carbon particles from thermal pyrolysis of rice hulls rather than from commercial sodium silicate solutions. Valuable by-products of commodity grade are obtained including activated carbon and sodium fluoride.

Abstract: A procedure for the recovery and/or cleaning of carbon formed as a result of thermal processes. This carbon is present with supernatant C in equilibrium with CO.sub.2 and CO (Boudouard equilibrium) after being transformed into CO.sub.2 with oxygen in a synthesis gas at an elevated temperature. In so doing, the synthesis gas is brought to a temperature higher than 800.degree. and then, using H.sub.2 O, abruptly cooled to a temperature less than 100.degree. C., the carbon-water-dispersion is also used as an adsorption agent and the contaminants and residue are bound together in the waste gases, the carbon-water-dispersion is concentrated, the carbon sludge forming at the elevated temperature, preferably greater than 1200.degree. C., is dried. During the drying process the contaminants or contaminant components are vaporized from the carbon sludge and then condensed and the dried carbon is returned to the initial combustion process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing generator gas and activated carbon from solid fuels. A first gasification stage is supplied with fuel by an underfeed charging system and preheated air, the air and fuel being supplied in the same direction. In a second gasification stage and accompanied by the supply of secondary air, an intermediate gasification takes place. Finally, in a third gasification stage, the gas is reacted with glowing coke or charcoal, and the heat of the exiting gas is used for heating the air. The fuel centrally entering the first gasification stage is led from the inside to the outside and then upwards. Part of the entering fuel is precombusted in a precombustion chamber linked with the supply of the preheated air for reducing the oxygen content of the preheated air. In the intermediate gasification stage, the gas with the admixed air is passed through a Venturi nozzle or tube with a diffuser.

Abstract: An improved gasification system, in which synthesis gas is produced through the operation of a fuel gas production bed comprising an upper layer (66) of organic input material, typically in the form of pellets or briquettes of substantially uniform size and configuration, two intermediate layers, one intermediate layer (70) for carbonizing the input material, and the other intermediate layer (72) for partially oxidizing and substantially completely pyrolyzing the input material and a lower layer (68) of tar-free charcoal. The length of the gas production bed from the top of the upper intermediate layer to the point where gas exits from the gas production bed is approximately at least 1.5 times the diameter of the bed, but not less than 7 feet. The removal of charcoal from the gas production bed is controlled and the operation of the bed otherwise controlled such that the charcoal produced during the process is activated carbon.