| The objectives of this study are: (1) Blending the Conrad residue with coal-derived pitches and its effect on the pitch properties. (2) The activation of the Conrad residue with carbon dioxide. (3) Assessment of the relationship between surface area of the activated residue and extent of activation.; The Conrad residue is blended with a hydrogenated coal pitch and a commercial coal-tar binder pitch. The particle size of the residue is too large to produce the desired degree of isotropy. Moreover, coking of the coal-tar mixture yields a carbon foam whose density is proportional to the amount of residue.; The effects of carbon dioxide flow rate, reactor loading and time and temperature on the percent burn-off and surface area are studied in a rotary reactor. The surface area depends only on the extent of burn-off and is independent of process conditions. Significant non-ideal reactor behavior is noted and elucidated. The activation data are modeled by a first-order rate equation and an Arrhenius analysis. |
