GASIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ACTIVATED CARBON IN SUPERCRITICAL WATER

The gasification characteristics of a granular, coconut shell activate d carbon in supercritical water (600-650 degrees C, 25.5-34.5 MPa) wer e investigated. A rate law for carbon gasification in steam at sub-atm ospheric pressure (<0.1 MPa) derived almost 50 years ago enjoys good a greement with our measurements. This agreement suggests the reaction m echanism is not strongly influenced by pressure. Methane formation und er the conditions employed in this work is not affected by pressure an d may be pyrolytic in origin. An iodine number increase of 25% was obs erved as a result of gasification in supercritical water. (C) 1997 Els evier Science Ltd.