Selective porosity development by calcium-catalyzed carbon gasification Original Research Article

The effect of calcium on porosity development during activation of a char, from almond shell, in steam and CO2 is discussed. Results for steam activation as a function of pressure in both uncatalyzed and catalyzed processes are presented. Pore size distribution of activated carbons obtained from calcium-catalyzed carbon gasification is analyzed from the points of view of the gasification mechanism and of the CaO particle size distribution. The rate of gasification, the initial porosity of the carbon, the extent of sintering of CaO particles and the sintering rate relative to the activation rate determine the porosity development and the pore size distribution produced.