GB269477A - Process for activating carbon or carbonaceous substances with simultaneous production of combustible gases and apparatus for carrying out the said process - Google Patents

Abstract

269,477. Soc. de Recherches et d' Exploitations PetrolifÞres. April 15, 1926, [Convention date]. Retorts and methods of working.-Activated carbon and combustible gases are produced by treatment of carbonaceous materials with activating gases at high temperatures in vessels or chambers having walls slightly permeable to the gases. The activating gases used may be combustion gases, alone or mixed with steam, carbon dioxide, chlorine or other activating gases, or the latter gases may be superheated and employed alone. The speed of the reaction may be controlled bv varying the porosity of the chambers or the dilution of the activation gases, or by regulating the pressure in the vessel or chamber. for example by means of a steam injector controlling the removal of the gases produced. In one form, Fig. 2, porous tubes 1 are arranged in a gas heated furnace, the material passing from a hopper 5 through the tubes 1, where it is activated by furnace gases which have passed through the tubes, and thence through metal cooling tubes 2 to a discharge hopper 3 having a movable grid 4. The combustible gases produced in the activation may be withdrawn from hopper 5 or through perforated inner tubes provided within tubes 1. In treating uncoked material, means may be provided for withdrawing the combustible gas produced from the hoppers. Increased porosity of the chamber walls can be obtained with earthenware materials by using in the clay a large proportion of large sized particles, or by adding sawdust, cork, &c. before burning. Carborundum, silica bricks, and other porous materials may also be employed, as well as finely perforated vessels and covers. A gas rich in water vapour may be employed by burning water gas or by introducing steam with the gas or with pre-heated air for combustion, the gas resulting in the activating chamber being rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The porous walls act as filters, the gas passing through being partly purified from nitrogen. Hydrocarbons if present in the furnace gases are partly decomposed or burnt on passing through the porous walls. Various types of activation furnaces which may be used are referred to. The process may be applied to the activation of wood, wood charcoal. or of coal, lignite, or peat or the coke derived therefrom, or to waste products containing sufficient carbon or to inactive or partly active agglomerated carbon. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 (3) (a) comprises also the use of activation gases generally, including oxygen. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.