NORIT® activated carbons play multiple roles in the chemical industry. Our products are used to purify a vast array of chemicals, and are also used as catalyst support and even as catalytic substance itself.
Here are some of our main applications:
Purification of chemicals
In the chemical industry, NORIT® activated carbons find widespread use to purify numerous products - ranging from bulk to fine chemicals (e.g. hydrochloric and phosphoric acid, methionine, pentaerythritol, tartaric acid). They are also used in the recycling of chemicals (e.g. metal plating baths and dry cleaning solvents).
Our products effectively remove:
- Feedstock impurities
- Synthesis byproducts
- Residues from extractants, catalysts, etc.
- Impurities collected during use
More than 50 NORIT® activated carbon grades are used for purification of chemicals. We supply:
- Powdered, granular, and extruded grades
- Different pore structures to best fit the impurity molecules
- Hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces to optimize the affinity for impurities
- Standard and high purity grades
- A wide choice of particle size distributions for optimized handling (pressure drop, filtration
Purification of Oleochemicals
Leading oleochemical industries globally use NORIT® activated carbons to purify glycerin, fatty acids and esters, alcohols, and other derivatives, including medium chain triglycerides.
Our purification products effectively remove:
- Plant pigments
- MONG
- PAH
- Color precursors/ heat instability causing compounds
- Reducing substances
- Odors
For this we supply:
- Powdered, granular, and extruded grades
- Different pore structures, and hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces, tailored to remove the targeted impurities
- Grades low in chloride to avoid corrosion
- Grades ultra-low in chloride to avoid 3-MCPD formation
Catalyst supports
NORIT® activated carbon catalyst support grades, are used by leading catalyst manufacturers to produce noble metal and other heterogeneous catalysts. These catalysts then find use in a range of processes, from fine chemical / pharma synthesis, to vinyl chloride monomer production and mercaptan oxidation.
NORIT® activated carbon catalyst carriers bring:
- A high dispersion of the active phase
- Fast diffusion of reactants and products (enhancing selectivity)
- A high durability to avoid active phase losses (especially in eggshell catalysts) and to allow multiple rounds of re-use
- An easy recovery of the metal phase by burning off the carbon
For this we supply from our highly controlled production:
- Catalyst support grades with high purity and high consistency
- Different pore structures and surface characteristics
- Extruded grades with superior hardness
- Powdered grades with especially defined particle size distributions
Catalytic activated carbon
Certain NORIT® activated carbon grades have enhanced catalytic properties and are used as catalyst in processes such as:
- Phosgene production and destruction
- Cyanuric chloride production
- Sulfuryl chloride production
- Flue gas SO2sub> conversion into H2SO4 for re-use
- NOx removal from air
- Destruction of chloramine and bromate in Water
Catalyst shape: Some of these applications require a powdered catalyst, but in most cases the activated carbon catalyst is in extruded or granular form. In some cases, quantities of well over 1000 m3sup> are in use per single plant. An extreme hardness combined with a high porosity is usually required
The function of the activated carbon is to catalyze oxidation/reduction (REDOX) reactions. This REDOX activity is attributed to the carbon’s extensive conjugated system that stabilizes free radicals. The activity is further enhanced by NORIT® proprietary surface chemistry modification processes.
