In the reaction of gas-solid phases, the microwave energy plays a role as a catalyst, because it causes friction between adjacent molecules and enables an unique characteristics of interior heating of the materials. When the dipole gases are adsorbed inside of the pore of carbon materials, the gases are decomposed by the microwave energy and reacted with the carbon atoms. Using this principle, we could make the activated carbon from coconut shell within 20 minute, and this residence time for activation is about 1/16 of rotary kiln. The BET surface area of activated carbon made by microwave is about 1,100m2/g similar to conventional method of rotary kiln. In this study, the power of microwave generator was 400~1000W, and the gas for activation was steam mainly.

• Dong-Sik Kim(Korea Institute of Energy Research)
• Hwa-Chun Park(Korea Institute of Energy Research)
• Kyeong-Hwa Byeon(Daedong Carbon Chemistry Co.)