Abstract

ORTIZ, O. A.; MARTINEZ, N. D.; MENGUAL, C. A.  and  PETKOVIC, L. M.. Performance analysis of pilot rotary kiln for activated carbon manufacture, using a steady state mathematical model. Lat. Am. appl. res. [online]. 2003, vol.33, n.3, pp.295-300. ISSN 0327-0793.

The physical activation of charcoal from eucalyptus wood has produced excellent results in laboratory tests. The obtained activated carbons have good adsorbent properties with surface areas over 500 m²/g, low density and moderate attrition resistance. The activation process is strongly endothermic and involves gasification of the carbonaceous char by oxidation with either water vapor or carbon dioxide in the temperature range of 1073 - 1373 K. This process is carried out in either directly or indirectly fired activators, such as rotary kilns. The goal of this work is to describe the performance analysis carried out on a pilot rotary kiln, using a previously developed steady state mathematical model. The comparison between simulated and experimentally data has been reported in a previous paper. The model accounts for the complex transfer and reaction phenomena, which occur inside the kiln. The model was solved by a finite difference method. The solution predicts solid, freeboard gas, and wall temperature axial profiles, as well as the mass variations in the solid and freeboard gas, due to activation reaction and solid drying. The performance of the activator can be measured through its production rate, burn off, and solid temperature profile. To analyze the influence of different operating conditions on the equipment performance, the main operating variables (i.e., gas, steam, and solid flow rate, residence time, and solid temperature) have been studied. The results obtained from the sensitivity analysis allow for the identification of the operation variables that can be optimized.

Keywords : Performance Analysis; Rotary Kiln; Activated Carbon.

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