Catalytic Activated Carbon

Feedstock & Base AC Preparation

• Coconut-Shell Selection: Preferred for hardness and microporosity.

• Activation: Steam or chemical activation at 800–1,000 °C to develop pore network.

Catalyst Impregnation Methods

• Wet Impregnation: Soaking AC in metal salt solution (e.g., PdCl₂, Fe(NO₃)₃) followed by drying.

• Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Introducing catalyst precursor vapors into AC at elevated temperature for uniform dispersion.

• Ion Exchange: Exchanging AC surface ions with metal ions to anchor catalysts.

Activation & Post-Treatment

• Thermal Reduction: Heating in H₂ or inert atmosphere to convert metal salts to active metal nanoparticles.

• Acid/Base Washing: Removes residual salts and stabilizes pH.

• Drying & Sieving: Ensures moisture < 5% and uniform particle size.

Key Physical & Chemical Properties

Applications of Catalytic AC

Industrial Chemical Reactions

• Catalytic Dechlorination: Removal of chlorinated organics via hydrodechlorination.

• Selective Hydrogenation: Conversion of unsaturated compounds in fine-chemical production.

Advanced Water Treatment

• Catalytic Ozonation: Enhances ozone decomposition into hydroxyl radicals for micropollutant degradation.

• Fenton-Like Processes: Iron-impregnated AC used for in-situ generation of •OH radicals.

Air Purification & VOC Destruction

• CO & VOC Oxidation: Platinum- or palladium-CAC oxidizes CO to CO₂ at low temperatures.

• Mercury Removal: Sulfur- or selenium-enhanced CAC captures elemental mercury in flue gases.

Energy & Fuel Processing

• Fuel Desulfurization: Removal of sulfur compounds via catalytic adsorption in gasoline and diesel.

• Biofuel Upgrading: Catalytic cracking and hydrogenation of biomass-derived oils.

Benefits of Catalytic Activated Carbon

• Dual Functionality: Adsorption + catalysis in one material.

• Lower Operating Temperatures: Catalysts enable reactions at milder conditions.

• Enhanced Pollutant Removal: Higher conversion rates for target contaminants.

• Versatile Formats: Available as powders, granules, pellets, and monoliths.

Choosing the Right Catalytic AC Grade

• Catalyst Type & Loading: Select based on reaction (e.g., Pd for hydrogenation, Fe for Fenton processes).

• Particle Size & Form: GAC for fixed-bed reactors; PAC for slurry or batch reactors.

• Support Properties: High mechanical strength for backwashable beds; tailored pore size for diffusion.

• Regeneration Capability: Thermal vs. chemical regeneration compatibility.

Regeneration & Disposal

Thermal Regeneration

• Temperature: 600–800 °C under inert or reducing atmosphere.

• Recovery: Restores both adsorption capacity and catalytic activity.

Chemical Regeneration

• Solvent Washes: Remove adsorbed organics without deactivating catalysts.

• Acid/Base Treatments: Desorb metal complexes for catalyst recovery.

Disposal

• Spent Material Classification: Hazardous vs. non-hazardous based on adsorbed chemicals.

• Recycling: Recover precious metals (Pt, Pd) via acid leaching and metal recovery processes.

Catalytic AC vs. Standard AC