Desulphurization properties of active carbons obtained from petroleum pitch pyrolysis

Active carbons prepared by suitable pyrolysis of petroleum pitches and subsequent activation of the obtained chars show good desulphurization properties for gaseous mixtures with composition similar to flue gases. These carbons, submitted to cyclic processes of SO2 adsorption and desorption, show less activity reduction than some ordinary commercial active samples (with different derivation), in close relation to a less pronounced degradation of their surface properties. This behaviour can be related to some specific characteristics of the carbons obtained from petroleum pitch pyrolysis, such as high content of surface basic sites, pore size distribution and low content of ash. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.