The Preparation of Activated Carbon form Furfural Residues

This method has been developed to utilize the residues from the manufacture of furfural by acid treatment of corn cobs or oat hulls. The residue is mixed with 7.5% by wt. ZnO and 70% HCl (Sp Gr 1.20) and allowed to stand 24 hours. It is then dried and destructively distilled at 550°C. The ash is leached out with 1% HCl and the char dried and heated to 850°C. Treatment yields a char which is the equal of any vegetable char now on the market