“The above considerations are illustrated fairly well
by the photo-micrographs shown in Figs. 68 to 71. Fig.
68 shows a section of the original untreated cocoanut
shell crosswise to the long axis of the shell. In it
can be seen the closely packed, thick-walled so-called
‘stone-cells’ characteristic of all hard and dense nut
shells. Fig. 69 is a photograph of a similar section
through the same cocoanut shell after it has been
carbonized. As these photographs are all taken with
vertical illumination against a dark background, the
cavities, or voids, and depressions all appear black,
while the charcoal itself appears white. It is clear
from this photograph that much of the original grosser
structure of the shell persists in the carbonized
products. Figs. 70 and 71 are more highly magnified
photographs of a carbonized charcoal before and after
activation, respectively. As before, all the dark
areas represent voids of little or no importance in
the adsorptive activity of the charcoal, while the
white areas represent the charcoal itself. In Fig. 70
(unactivated) the charcoal itself between the voids
it seen to be relatively compact, while in Fig. 71
(activated) it is decidedly granular. This granular
structure, just visible at this high magnification
(1000 diameters), probably represents the grosser
porous structure on which the adsorption really
depends. These photographs, therefore, show how the
porosity is increased by activation.”
[Illustration: FIG. 71.—31-Minute Steam Activated Charcoal. Magnified
732 Diameters.]
The great demand for charcoal, and the need for activating other than
cocoanut charcoal led to the development of the Dressler tunnel kiln,
which seemed to offer many advantages over the Dorsey type of treater.
[Illustration: FIG. 72.—Sectional View of Dressler Tunnel Kiln, Adapted
to Activation of Charcoal.]
“The Dressler tunnel kiln is a type used in general
ceramic work. The furnace consists essentially of a
brick kiln about 190 ft. long, 12 ft. broad, and 9
ft. high, lined with fire brick. Charcoal is loaded
in shallow, refractory trays in small tram cars,
about 120 trays to the car. The cars enter the kiln
through a double door and the charcoal remains in the
hot zone at a temperature of about 850° C. for about
4 hrs., depending upon the nature of the material
charged. Water is atomized into this kiln, and a
positive pressure maintained in order to exclude
entrance of air. The kiln is gas-fired and the charcoal
is activated by the steam in the presence of the
combustion gases.
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