Patent GB-234161-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the production of carbon or carboniferous products
IPC: C01B32/336
Filed: 1924-01-25
Abstract: 234,161. Dicker, S. G. S., (Wallace, G. W.). Jan. 25, 1924. Carbon. - Activated carbon or carboniferous products for de-colourizing &c. are produced from carbonaceous materials by a closed chamber process involving internal combustion as the carbonizing means. Heat is supplied from the top of the charge and downward carbonizing takes place. Carbonaceous materials such as peat, wood, lignite, and brown coal may be used, and may be mixed with substances such as kieselguhr, fuller's earth, and gypsum, and an activating agent such as lime. The charge is delivered to the generator A, Fig. 1, through the charging door 18, Fig. 2, and a layer of broken carborundum is placed on top to filter the generator gas supplied through nozzles 12 and air passing through ports 11, the air and gas being sucked in by means of a blower C placed in the circuit between gas condensers B, B'. For starting combustion, generator gas is supplied from a storage tank, but when the combustion is properly started the gas from the generator A is circulated by a blower C through the condensers B, B<1>, a water scrubber D, and an oil scrubber E, and passes through a valve 16a and nozzle 12 back to the top of the generator. Thus a zone of combustion and a zone of carbonization preceded by a zone of distillation are caused to travel downwards through the charge. When the whole charge is carbonized, the combustion gas is turned off, the outlet valve 5<a> is closed, and water from a hosepipe 20<a> is supplied through a poke hole 19 and played on the hot carbon so that steam is produced, which drives out the air, the carbon being thereby cooled in the absence of air. The carbon may be removed through discharge doors 10 into wagons, or if it is of a pulverulent nature it may, by flooding the generator with water, be washed through the grate and through valves 5a and 6a to some receptacle for further treatment, such as with hydrochloric acid to remove the lime, and is then washed and dried. The residue may be moulded, for example under pressure with or without binding agents. Where smothered combustion of the charge takes place, the carborundum is dispensed with, and carbonizing takes place according to Specification 211,033, [Class 55 (i), Coking &c.], the supply of air for combustion being regulated by diluent gases or gases other than steam. The generator consists of an outer metal casing comprising a base 1 on which rests an upper part 1<a>, both parts being lined with firebrick. The bottom 4 is inclined towards the outlet port 5 and is provided with a grate 8, cleaning doors 9, and discharge doors 10. The top of the lining is substantially dome-shaped and contains passages 11 for air sucked in along with gas from nozzles 12. The charging door 18 has a fireclay stopper 18a containing the poke hole 19 with a fireclay stopper 19<a>. The condenser B and scrubbers D and E are supplied with water from branch pipes from the main water pipe 20. The condenser B<1> is supplied with water from the condenser B by a pipe 22, and an overflow pipe 23 conducts the water back to a tank. Specification 221,388, [Class 55 (i), Coking &c.], also is referred to.