GB359546A - Improvements in the activation of carbonaceous materials by gases - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0359546/III/1> The method of activating carbonaceous material in alternate phases of internal heating and activation according to the parent Specification is carried out in at least two activation furnaces or retorts, one being at the heating phase while the other is at the activation phase, the furnaces being reversed at intervals and the gases evolved during the activation phase in one furnace being utilized for the heating of the other furnace. Reversing regenerators and continuous air and gas heating apparatus are provided for utilizing the waste heat. Two chambers F1, F2 filled with the carbonaceous material to be activated such as wood, vegetable or animal waste, peat, lignite, anthracite, &c., or such substances partly or completely carbonized with or without other chemical substances, are connected at their lower parts by a flue b which conducts the combustible gases leaving the chamber F1 during the activation stage to be burnt with preheated air supplied at p in the chamber F2 to heat the material therein. The combustion products pass by a pipe e2 to a checker-work regenerator R2, further preheated air being admitted at o2, and through a valve g2 to a steam superheater S, an air heater T and thence to the chimney U. Steam from the superheater S passes through a pipe i and valve kl into the regenerator R1 where it is raised to a high temperature and passes through a pipe e1 to the top of the furnace F1 and through the carbonaceous material, activating it with the production of the combustible gases which are burnt in the passage b and chamber F2. When the temperature in the furnace F1 has fallen sufficiently, the valves g2, k1, o2 are closed and the valves g1, k2, o1 opened to reverse the furnaces and regenerators. A gas or oil burner may be provided at a or a supplementary supply of hot gases may be introduced at this point for use in starting up. The chambers F1, F2 are provided with charging hoppers and discharge doors allowing of continuous or intermittent descent of the material. Steam is supplied to the superheater by a pipe h. In a modification, the material to be activated is placed in porous or apertured refractory retort vessels within the chambers F1, F2. The valves may be interconnected for reversal.