| Abstract: | Advanced, fire-resistant activated carbon compositions useful in
adsorbing gases; and having vastly improved fire resistance are provided,
and methods for synthesizing the compositions are also provided. The
advanced compositions have high gas adsorption capacities and rapid
adsorption kinetics (comparable to commercially-available activated
carbon), without having any intrinsic fire hazard. They also have
superior performance to Mordenites in both adsorption capacities and
kinetics. In addition, the advanced compositions do not pose the fibrous
inhalation hazard that exists with use of Mordenites. The fire-resistant
compositions combine activated carbon mixed with one or more hydrated
and/or carbonate-containing minerals that release H.sub.2O and/or
CO.sub.2 when heated. This effect raises the spontaneous ignition
temperature to over 500.degree. C. in most examples, and over 800.degree.
C. in some examples. Also provided are methods for removing and/or
separating target gases, such as Krypton or Argon, from a gas stream by
using such advanced activated carbons. |