Process for manufacturing ion-exchange media from a granulated feedstock derived from manure, sewage sludge or compost media such as peat

摘要

Disclosed is a process for the production of low-temperature-activated or partially-activated partially-decomposed organic matter for use as an ion-exchange medium in association with the adsorption of heavy metals, said process includes the steps of: (a) supplying an amount of partially-decomposed moisture-bearing organic matter selected from livestock manure, sewage sludge, compost media (such as peat, plant by-products, leaf compost etc.) or combinations thereof, to a granulating machine; (b) granulating the partially-decomposed organic matter; (c) drying the obtained granules; and (d) thermally activating the granules without chemical activation using an activation heat medium at a temperature of about 175-287 °C, resulting in granules which have a hardness suitable for the heavy metal adsorption end-use application.