Guanbaolin's activated carbon rotary kiln comes in two standard configurations: an activation kiln producing 2.5–3 t/day of activated carbon (Φ1.8 m × 11 m body, 300 mm refractory) and a carbonization kiln producing 5–6 t/day of carbonized material (Φ1.8 m body, about 10 m long). Both are supplied as complete lines, and capacity can be customized.
What Is an Activated Carbon Rotary Kiln?
An activated carbon rotary kiln is a slowly rotating, slightly inclined steel drum lined with refractory. Material enters at the raised feed end, tumbles along the drum as it turns and leaves at the discharge end, so every particle sees the same heat and gas atmosphere. Because feeding and discharge are continuous, a rotary kiln suits round-the-clock carbon production.
In activated carbon production the kiln is used for two different steps:
- Carbonization — the raw material is heated in an oxygen-free or oxygen-limited atmosphere to drive off volatiles and form char (carbonized material).
- Activation — the char reacts with high-temperature steam, which opens and develops the pore structure that gives activated carbon its adsorption capacity.
Many producers run the two steps in separate kilns, which is why we offer both a carbonization rotary kiln and an activation rotary kiln. The same rotary-kiln principle is also used for thermal regeneration of spent carbon (see below).
Standard Configurations at a Glance
Both kilns below are standard configurations. Capacity can be customized to your feedstock and output target.
| Parameter | Activation rotary kiln | Carbonization rotary kiln |
|---|---|---|
| Standard output | 2.5–3 t/day activated carbon | 5–6 t/day carbonized material |
| Kiln body | Φ1.8 m × 11 m | Φ1.8 m, about 10 m long |
| Shell material | Carbon steel with stainless-steel anchor studs | Carbon steel |
| Refractory lining | 300 mm | 80–150 mm |
| Drive and support | Girth gear, supporting rollers, thrust rollers, drive unit | Girth gear, supporting rollers, thrust rollers, drive unit |
| Discharge | Cooling discharge pipe | Cooling discharge pipe |
| Induced-draft fan | 20,000 m³/h, 22 kW, variable frequency | 7,000 m³/h, 11 kW, variable frequency |
| Scrubber tower | Optional | Optional |
| Feedstock | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Heating method | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Operating temperature | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Energy and steam consumption | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Installed and running power | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Yield | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
| Footprint | Confirmed on inquiry | Confirmed on inquiry |
Request a Technical Review — send your feedstock, target output, available utilities, site conditions and destination.
Activation Rotary Kiln — 2.5–3 t/day Standard Configuration
The activation rotary kiln converts carbonized material into activated carbon with steam. In its standard configuration it produces 2.5–3 t/day of activated carbon.
Kiln body. The drum is Φ1.8 m × 11 m, built in carbon steel with stainless-steel anchor studs that hold the refractory in place. The refractory lining is 300 mm thick. The kiln is supplied with its girth gear, supporting rollers, thrust rollers, drive unit and a cooling discharge pipe that cools the carbon as it leaves the kiln.
Complete line. The standard activation line includes:
| Equipment | Description |
|---|---|
| Feed hopper | Receives the carbonized feed |
| Belt conveyors | Feed conveyor to the kiln head and product conveyor to the screen |
| Feed kiln head | Feeds material into the kiln; supplied with refractory, feed chute and buffer bin |
| Maintenance platform and ladder | For the feed kiln head |
| Activation rotary kiln | Φ1.8 m × 11 m, as above |
| Rotary drum product screen | Four-grade screening of the finished carbon |
| Shell-and-tube heat exchanger | Flue-gas heat exchanger at the kiln head |
| Steam piping | 310S stainless steel, with supports |
| Induced-draft fan | 20,000 m³/h, 22 kW, variable-frequency drive |
| Flue-gas ducting | Connects the kiln and heat exchanger to the fan and exhaust |
| Electrical control system | Control cabinet, variable-frequency drives and cabling |
| Scrubber tower | Optional |
Steam supply and other site utilities are confirmed on inquiry.
Carbonization Rotary Kiln — 5–6 t/day Standard Configuration
The carbonization rotary kiln turns raw material into carbonized material (char) ready for activation. In its standard configuration it produces 5–6 t/day of carbonized material.
Kiln body. The drum is Φ1.8 m in diameter and about 10 m long, in carbon steel, with a refractory lining of 80–150 mm. Like the activation kiln, it comes with girth gear, supporting rollers, thrust rollers, drive unit and a cooling discharge pipe.
Complete line. The standard carbonization line includes:
| Equipment | Description |
|---|---|
| Feed hopper | Receives the raw material |
| Belt conveyor | Feeds the kiln head |
| Feed kiln head | Supplied with refractory, feed chute and buffer bin |
| Maintenance platform and ladder | For the feed kiln head |
| Carbonization rotary kiln | Φ1.8 m, about 10 m long, as above |
| Product screen | Screens the carbonized material; screen type confirmed on inquiry |
| Induced-draft fan | 7,000 m³/h, 11 kW, variable-frequency drive |
| Flue-gas ducting | Connects the kiln to the fan and exhaust |
| Electrical control system | Control cabinet, variable-frequency drives and cabling |
| Scrubber tower | Optional |
Capacity and Customization
The 2.5–3 t/day and 5–6 t/day lines are standard configurations; capacity can be customized, and kiln size, refractory and auxiliary equipment are then engineered to match. To size a line, send us:
- Feedstock type, particle size and moisture
- Target output per day and target product quality (for example, iodine number)
- Fuel and steam available on site
- Emission requirements and whether a scrubber is needed
- Site layout limits and destination
For our wider equipment range, see the rotary-kiln activation system, the rotary-kiln carbonization system and the rotary dryer for wet carbon.
Rotary Kilns in Activated Carbon Regeneration
Thermal regeneration uses the same principle as activation: spent carbon is dried, the adsorbed contaminants are driven off and broken down, and steam restores the pore structure. Our Xinjiang base operates rotary-kiln activation and regeneration systems and publishes a handling and regeneration capacity of 15,000 t/year. For on-site regeneration of spent granular carbon, our GAC regeneration system is rated at 5–50 t/day.
Whether one of the standard configurations above can be used or adapted for regeneration of your spent carbon is confirmed on inquiry, based on the carbon type, adsorbed load and off-gas treatment needed. Read more in our guide to activated carbon regeneration.
Test → Supply → Regenerate
Before you fix the kiln size, test the process. We can run trials on your feedstock or spent carbon through our pilot testing and process design service, using pilot laboratories of approximately 500 m². We then supply the kiln line, and later, if your plant needs it, the regeneration equipment or activated carbon regeneration service for the carbon it produces or uses.
Operating Data and References
The following are not published on this page and are confirmed on inquiry for each project: suitable feedstocks for each standard configuration, operating temperatures, heating method, fuel, energy and steam consumption, yield, emissions data, footprint, delivery time and reference installations.
FAQ
What capacity is your activated carbon rotary kiln?
The standard activation rotary kiln produces 2.5–3 t/day of activated carbon and the standard carbonization rotary kiln produces 5–6 t/day of carbonized material. Both are standard configurations; capacity can be customized.
What is the difference between an activation kiln and a carbonization kiln?
A carbonization kiln heats raw material with little or no oxygen to make char. An activation kiln then reacts that char with high-temperature steam to develop the pore structure. Our activation kiln is longer (Φ1.8 m × 11 m vs Φ1.8 m, about 10 m long) and has a thicker refractory lining (300 mm vs 80–150 mm).
What is included in a complete rotary kiln line?
The standard activation line includes feed hopper, belt conveyors, feed kiln head, the kiln, a rotary drum product screen with four-grade screening, a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, 310S steam piping, an induced-draft fan, flue-gas ducting and the electrical control system. The standard carbonization line includes feed hopper, belt conveyor, feed kiln head, the kiln, a product screen (type confirmed on inquiry), an induced-draft fan, flue-gas ducting and the electrical control system. Both lines include a maintenance platform and ladder for the feed kiln head; a scrubber tower is optional.
Can a rotary kiln be used to regenerate activated carbon?
Yes, rotary kilns are widely used for thermal regeneration, and our Xinjiang base runs rotary-kiln regeneration systems. Whether a standard configuration suits your spent carbon is confirmed on inquiry.
What feedstock can the kiln process?
Suitable feedstocks for each standard configuration are confirmed on inquiry. Send your feedstock type, size and moisture for a technical review.
What information do you need for a quotation?
Feedstock, target output and product quality, available fuel and steam, emission requirements, site limits and destination. Equipment is quoted per project.
Request a Technical Review
Send your feedstock, target output, utilities, site conditions and destination, and we will propose a kiln configuration. Request a Technical Review or call +86 13355329772.