PRODUCTION OF ACTIVE-CARBON FROM BROWN COAL IN HIGH YIELDS

The acid-leached char produced in high yield by the pyrolysis of the potassium salt of a brown coal (Yallourn seam, Victoria, Australia) is shown to have an internal surface area in excess of 1100 m2 g without the need for activation. Tabletting, or extrusion, of the potassium salt of the coal permits production of a hard, active carbon as shaped granules. Of the cations investigated - sodium, potassium and magnesium - potassium was unique with regard to the formation of such a highly active char. © 1979.