Process simulation of activated carbon production using a rotary kiln

Abstract

The rotary kiln used for the activation of charcoal is simulated using mass and energy balances to obtain the temperature distributions of environmental gas and solid in the kiln. The computed results are used to find the optimal operation condition. In finding the optimal gas temperature for the reductive gas environment necessary to the charcoal activation, the outcome gives the amount of fuel required and the effects of other operational variables, such as feed and steam rates. While the fuel and feed rates give large variation of gas and solid temperatures, the activation steam and moisture and volatile contents in feed do not affect the temperatures significantly. It was found that the temperature distribution has a similar pattern to that of coal pyrolysis because of the similarity of heat transfer mechanism.

Wooden Activated Carbon Production for Dioxin Removal via a Two-Step Process of Carbonization Coupled with Steam Activation from Biomass Wastes

“…In addition to being an energy source, biomass can also become an excellent environmental protection material after a specific conversion or treatment. The most common utilization is the preparation of activated carbon with developed adsorption capacity. , Compared with coal, biomass has higher activity and the pore structure of activated carbon is more developed. In the traditional activated carbon production industry, more indicators are mainly concerned with the production rate and adsorption capacity of activated carbon, while the tar, volatile components, and other by-products produced in the activated carbon production process are less taken into consideration.…”

The Effect of Clay Insulator Use on Corn Cob Carbonization Reactor Heat Loss

“…The initial composition of the biomass determines the amount of charcoal produced. Production will decrease as volatile matter content rises due to increased component release into the atmosphere [6]. The carbonization temperature has a significant impact on the charcoal produced; thus, determining the optimal temperature is critical for producing high-quality charcoal [7].…”

“…The energy losses resulting from conduction through the kiln total 10.57% of the supplied energy [11]. Moreover, simulations of char activation rotary kilns indicate that temperature distribution within the kiln is influenced by operational variables, including fuel and feed rate [6]. Furthermore, studies on industrial carbonization processes have shown that using slow heating techniques and maintaining the kiln or reactor temperatures distribute between 500 and 600℃ will produce high-quality charcoal suitable for export [12].…”