Lignocellulose-Based Granulated Activated Carbons Bound with Water-Soluble Carbohydrates

Abstract

High-density adsorbents are required since only a certain volume of the adsorbent can be packed into adsorption facilities. Some chemical and physical properties of deciduous wood lignocellulose concede a possibility to use this by-product as a raw material for preparation of high-density granular sorbents. Lignocellulose is a by-product of furfural production by a direct method, developed at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry. It is only partially used as a fuel in boiler-houses for the technological process heat energy self-provision. The lignocellulose of the direct furfural production process contains approximately 25% of water-soluble matter, namely, reducing substances (sugars), water-soluble oligosaccharides, non-volatile acids (mainly levulinic acid), sulphuric acid, the soluble part of ash, etc., acting as binders of granules. The excellent self-binding properties of the lignocellulose become apparent, in particular, after carbonization and activation of granules