An analysis of the carbonization process and volatile-release characteristics of coal-based activated carbon

In the preparation process of coal-based activated carbon, the release of volatiles is mainly concentrated in the carbonization process, and a certain pore structure will be formed. Therefore, it is very important to study the carbonization process of activated carbon. In this paper, the properties of two raw materials were analyzed. Furthermore, the pyrolysis carbonization characteristics of the raw materials were studied based on thermogravimetric and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the volatiles released at 10 and 15 °C/min were also analyzed. The results show that due to the blending of more low-rank coal, the specific heat capacity of raw material 1 is more sensitive to temperature, the activation energy is smaller. The heating rate of 15 °C/min increases the maximum weight loss rate and the decomposition process moves to the high temperature region. The release of volatile is more intense and concentrated at 15 °C/min, but the releasing of CO 2 , CH 4 , formic acid and p-xylene is obviously reduced due to the short heating time. The research results can provide theoretical guidance and practical basis for the development of coal-based activated carbon production process, reactor design, pollutant removal, high-value and high-quality utilization of coal resources. • High heating rate results in intense volatile emission. • Low heating rate results in greater Δm (RM-1 is 21.41%, RM-2 is 11.55%). • RM mixed with less low-rank coal had higher activation energy and semi-coke yield. • The pyrolysis of RM can be described by Random nucleation and subsequent growth AE4. • The mechanism and characteristics of volatile releasing were revealed.