High Grade Decolorizing Carbon from Extracted Cotton Seed Hulls

Abstract

The object of this investigation was to find a method for the profitable disposal of the large quantity of residual cotton seed hulls resulting from the extraction of xylose from cotton seed hulls. As a result of this investigation, a process was developed for the manufacture of a high grade decolorizing carbon involving the following steps: (a) The residual or extracted hulls after air drying were mixed with lime and heated to 1800°F. The lime reduced the quantity of gases absorbed by the carbon. Air may or may not be added during this step. (b) After cooling, the lime was dissolved with hydrochloric acid. (c) After washing, the carbon was activated by air. This involved passing air into the carbon at 1600°F. The resulting carbon was of high quality, one gram of the best grade absorbing more than one gram of iodine from solution. This grade is superior to each of eleven commercial carbons collected from this country and Europe. (d) The optimum condition for carrying out the various steps were determined. (e) The production of the carbon was carried out on a semi-plant scale and a study made of the probable large scale equipment and cost of manufacture.