Effect of the Decationization of Brown Coal from the Kansk-Achinsk Basin on the Physicochemical Properties of the Resulting Sorbents

Data are presented on the effect of the decationization of brown coal from the Kansk-Achinsk Basin with a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid on the structural characteristics of the resulting sorbents and the sorption capacities for iodine and phenol. It was found that the partial removal of metal cations (among which calcium was predominant) resulted in the formation of carbonization products with low reactivity upon steam activation. As compared with sorbents prepared from the parent coal under the same conditions, the sorbents from the decationized coal exhibited lower pore volumes, specific surface areas, and sorption capacities. To prepare efficient low-ash sorbents from decationized coal, a longer activation treatment is required.