Production of activated carbon from athabasca oilsands bitumen

The carbonization process of the pentane insoluble (end-cut) fraction from Athabasca oilsands bitumen in the presence NaOH has been investigated. Chemical activation produced carbon with a well-developed mesoporous structure and a much reduced sulfur content. The yield of the activated carbon increased, whereas sulfur content decreased with an increase in the NaOH load. Physical activation with carbon dioxide resulted in significant improvement in surface area. The properties of an activated carbon produced from end-cut were compared with those for carbon derived from fluid coke. Compared to fluid coke, end-cut is more suitable in the preparation of the carbon with low sulfur content and high mesopore surface area.