Activated Carbon Pore Structure for Decolorization and Hardness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activated carbons face challenges in achieving both high decolorization performance in liquid phases and high hardness, particularly for color matters with larger molecular sizes and in practical usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The development of an activated carbon with specific pore volumes and ratios, achieved by activating a precursor activated carbon with controlled elemental potassium and calcium content, and a calcium compound with crystallites large enough to influence the pore structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pore volume of macropores (200-1000 nm) is increased to improve decolorization performance, then the decolorization performance is improved, but the hardness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes controlled porous structure development during activation, specifically creating mesopores (2-30 nm) as the primary pore type while limiting macropore formation. This selective pore size control allows the activated carbon to maintain structural integrity (hardness) while providing sufficient adsorption capacity for decolorization through the optimized mesopore network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the activation conditions (temperature, time, atmosphere) to achieve a specific pore size distribution. By adjusting these activation parameters, the patent optimizes the balance between pore volume for adsorption and structural strength, resolving the contradiction between decolorization performance and hardness.
2Reliability
If the pore volume of mesopores (2-30 nm) is increased to improve adsorption capacity, then the adsorption capacity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a preliminary action by using a precursor activated carbon that already possesses a favorable pore structure before the final activation step. This pre-formed structure reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process, as the subsequent activation primarily needs to develop and optimize the mesopore network rather than creating the entire pore structure from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls manufacturing complexity through parameter optimization in the activation process. By carefully selecting and controlling activation parameters (temperature profile, heating rate, atmosphere composition), the patent achieves the desired mesopore development with a relatively simple and efficient manufacturing process, avoiding overly complex multi-step procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in an activated carbon that exhibits excellent decolorization performance in liquid phases while maintaining high hardness, suitable for practical applications such as liquid-phase treatments in adsorption columns.
Implementation Method 1
Activated carbons have an excellent adsorption capacity and are thus widely used in liquid-phase treatments, such as removal of impurities from a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
heat-treating and subsequently activating the resultant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an activated carbon, having a pore volume (A) of 0.3 to 0.7 mL/g at a pore diameter of 6.5 to 50 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, a pore volume (B) of 0.23 mL/g or less at a pore diameter of 750 to 4,000 nm as determined by mercury intrusion porosimetry, and a pore volume ratio (A)/(B) of 1.7 or higher.