Options for processing of aspen wood to carbon materials

Abstract

Thermochemical processing of aspen wood to produce carbon materials is of interest considering that it allows increasing the cost of its products several times and enhancing the sustainability of forest complex enterprises.Currently, the enterprises are confined to the manufacture of charcoal, although it is possible to produce other carbon materials, such as charcoal briquettes, activated carbon and oxidized coal.While processing aspen wood, it is feasible to arrange manufacturing charcoal briquettes. Increased mechanical strength and high bulk density of briquettes raises the range of economically viable transportation of manufactured products, i.e. logistics is being improved.To obtain stable quality activated carbon from aspen coal, water vapor activation is the least environmentally hazardous. For such activation implementation, we recommend using a rotary kiln equipped with a Z-shaped insert. For reasons of environmental safety, the oxidation of activated carbon is preferably carried out using hot, humid air. In this case, unlike liquid-phase oxidation, no wastewater is formed. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.