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Summary
Australia imports about 3 500 tonnes per year of activated carbon for
the carbon-in-pulp gold extraction process (of which about three-quarters
or about 2 500 tonnes) is used in Western Australia). A further 3 000 tonnes
of activated carbon is used for sugar, food, wine and water treatment.
Western Australia uses one-half of Australia's imports of activated carbon. Already producing a high quality coal-derived carbon there are prospects for its manufacture in a form suitable for the gold industry. Presently such carbon is imported and made from coconut shell which is sufficiently hard to be suitable for their carbon-in-pulp processes.
Manufacture
Australian imports are valued at $10 million per year (with a market
value of about A$2 600 to $4 000 per tonne). Imported carbon is a hard
form mostly made from coconut shell supplied from Sri Lanka and the the
Philippines, and from peat by a higher cost process from the Netherlands.
One company, Char Processors, based in Western Australia, is commercialising
activated carbon derived from Collie coal. Its current range of carbon
products are used in water treatment, food decolourisation, gas purification
and for horticultural purposes.
Outlook
A typical competitive scale plant produces around 6 000 tpa which is about
Australia's requirements though double that required by the gold industry.
Char Processors Pty Ltd
Carbonaceous material is derived from wood, coal and coconut shell
by heating in a low oxygen environment, the carbon is activated by a chemical
or physical process.
Note: Activation is the formation of a crystalline form with
a high surface area within the carbon. The process creates a bulky product which is expensive to transport promoting
the manufacture near markets and little international trade (less than
one-quarter).
Some industry sources consider that Western Australia's indigenous
Jarrah timber could be used to manufacture carbon that is sufficiently
hard to be suitable for use in the gold industry. If so, it could be manufactured
by Simcoa Operations at Kemerton as it already
produces a high quality form of charcoal for its silicon smelter. The manufacture
of activated carbon would be harmonious with current activities.
PO Box 866 Cloverdale
Western Australia 6105
Tel 61 8 9380 1753
Chemlink Pty Ltd ABN 71 007 034 022. Publications
1997. All contents Copyright © 1997. All rights reserved. Information
in this document is subject to change without notice. Products and companies
referred to are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies or mark holders. URL: www.chemlink.com.au/
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