Which Activated Carbon Carbonization Furnace Size Matches Your Daily Output Target?
Choosing the wrong activated carbon carbonization furnace size is expensive. A furnace that is too small creates production bottlenecks. A furnace that is too large wastes power, space, and capital. The right size matches your daily output target, raw material supply, and downstream activation requirements.
This guide compares Shuliy rotary furnace models by capacity. It also explains how to calculate your real production need before placing an order.
How to Calculate the Required Activated Carbon Furnace Capacity?
Start with your sales target, not your theoretical maximum. Ask three questions:
How many tons of activated carbon do you sell per month? If you sell 120 tons per month, you need at least 4 tons per day on a 30-day schedule. Add 20% for maintenance downtime and demand peaks.
What is your raw material supply? One ton of activated carbon typically needs 3–5 tons of carbonized material. Make sure your pre-carbonization furnace and raw material source can feed the main furnace continuously.
What iodine value do you target? High-iodine products need longer residence time and higher temperature. This reduces hourly output. If you produce mostly 1400 mg/g carbon, choose a furnace one size larger than your base calculation suggests.
Activated Carbon Carbonization Furnace Size by Daily Output
The following table shows standard rotary models and their matched daily production ranges:
| Modèle | Drum Size (m) | Puissance (kW) | Daily Output | Meilleur pour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL-1500×11 | Φ1.5 × 11 | 40 | 1–2 t/day | Pilot plants, small workshops, testing |
| SL-1500×15 | Φ1.5 × 15 | 45 | 2–3 t/day | Small commercial producers, regional suppliers |
| SL-2200×18 | Φ2.2 × 18 | 50 | 4–5 t/day | Medium activated carbon plants |
| SL-2200×22 | Φ2.2 × 22 | 50 | 6–7 t/day | Large plants with steady feedstock |
| SL-2600×22 | Φ2.6 × 22 | 55 | 6–8 t/day | High-volume producers, export operations |
All models operate at 880–1050°C and use steam as the activation medium. Drum rotation speed is adjustable from 1–2 r/min. Residence time ranges from 60–120 minutes depending on product target.
Small-Scale Carbonization Furnace for 1–3 Tons Per Day
For startups, research facilities, and regional suppliers, the SL-1500 series is the practical entry point.
The SL-1500×11 activated carbon carbonization furnace produces 1–2 tons per day. It uses 40 kW power and fits a compact workshop. Its dimensions are 11,700 × 2,230 × 2,230 mm. This model is ideal for testing raw materials and validating product quality before scaling.
The SL-1500×15 extends the drum to 15 meters. Output rises to 2–3 tons per day with only 45 kW power. This is the common choice for small commercial plants in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America that serve local water treatment or gold recovery markets.
At this scale, buyers should also budget for a matching pre-carbonization furnace. A small continuous carbonization furnace keeps the SL-1500 fed with carbonized material at the right rate.
Medium-Capacity Activated Carbon Furnace for 4–5 Tons Per Day
The SL-2200×18 activated carbon production furnace is the most popular medium-size model. It produces 4–5 tons per day on 50 kW power. The drum diameter of 2.2 meters and length of 18 meters provide enough residence time for consistent activation.
This model fits plants that supply activated carbon to industrial water treatment, food decolorization, or air filtration customers. With one shift per day, it delivers 100–120 tons per month. With two shifts, monthly output doubles.
The SL-2200×18 also offers a good balance between investment cost and output. Its 50 kW motor is only 5 kW higher than the SL-1500×15, but output nearly doubles.
Large Carbonization Furnace for 6–8 Tons Per Day
For high-volume producers, the SL-2200×22 and SL-2600×22 models are the right choice.
The SL-2200×22 carbonization furnace for activated carbon produces 6–7 tons per day. It keeps the same 50 kW power rating as the SL-2200×18 but adds 4 meters of drum length. This extra length increases residence time and throughput without raising energy cost.
The SL-2600×22 is the largest standard model. Its 2.6-meter drum diameter pushes output to 6–8 tons per day. Power is 55 kW. This furnace suits export-oriented plants and operations that process multiple raw materials continuously.
Large plants often install multiple furnaces rather than one oversized unit. Four SL-2200×18 lines can produce 16–20 tons per day with operational redundancy. If one line stops for maintenance, the others keep running.
Complete Line Power and Space Requirements
A single activated carbon making furnace line includes more than the drum. The JY-1600 standard configuration includes conveyors, storage bins, feed system, insulation box, fan, cooling screw, and control cabinet.
| System Component | Puissance (kW) |
|---|---|
| Z-type conveyor | 2.2 |
| Storage bin | 3.0 |
| Screw conveyor | 4.0 |
| Flat-port feeder | 3.0 |
| Drive system | 18.5 |
| Main fan | 15.0 |
| Cooling discharge screw | 4.0 |
| Rotary discharge valve | 2.2 |
| Spray tower | 2.2 |
| Rotary carbon cooler | 8.5 |
| Cooling tower | 2.2 |
| Total per line | 64.8 |
A plant with four lines needs approximately 259 kW for the furnaces alone. Screening and packaging add another 13 kW. Total installed power reaches about 272 kW.
Workshop space must include the furnace footprint, material storage, cooling area, and operator walkways. A single line needs roughly 200–250 square meters. Four lines need 800–1,000 square meters.
How to Match Furnace Capacity to Your Raw Material?
Raw material density affects furnace selection. Heavy materials like coconut shell and fruit pits flow and activate predictably. Light materials like sawdust and rice husk need more residence time and lower feed rates.
| Raw Material | Modèle recommandé | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut shell | SL-2200×18 or SL-2200×22 | High density, consistent activation |
| Fruit shells | SL-1500×15 to SL-2200×18 | Medium density, food-grade applications |
| Sawdust | SL-2200×22 or SL-2600×22 | Low density needs longer residence time |
| Rice husk | SL-2600×22 | Very light, benefits from larger drum |
| Bambou | SL-2200×18 | Fibrous structure needs stable rotation |
If your raw material mix changes seasonally, choose a model with adjustable rotation speed and variable-frequency feed control. This flexibility protects your output when material properties shift.
How to Choose the Right Activated Carbon Furnace?
Use this checklist before requesting a quotation:
- Define your target daily output in tons of activated carbon.
- Confirm your raw material type, particle size, and moisture content.
- Choose your target iodine value range.
- Match output to a model from the SL-1500, SL-2200, or SL-2600 series.
- Calculate required pre-carbonization capacity upstream.
- Check your workshop dimensions and power supply capacity.
- Decide whether you need one large furnace or multiple smaller lines.
- Request a layout drawing and power load calculation from the supplier.
How Does Furnace Size Affect Activated Carbon Production Costs?
An oversized activated carbon carbonization furnace increases fuel consumption during startup and low-load operation. An undersized furnace forces you to run extra shifts or turn away orders.
The SL-2200×18 model running at full capacity consumes approximately 50 kWh per hour. At 4.5 tons per day and 20 operating hours, energy cost per ton is controlled. Running the same model at only 1 ton per day triples the energy cost per ton.
Right-sizing also reduces spare parts cost. Larger drums use larger bearings, gears, and seals. These parts cost more to replace. Buying only the capacity you need keeps maintenance budgets realistic.
Choose the Right Furnace Capacity for Your Production Target
Matching furnace size to daily output is a data decision, not a guess. The SL-1500 series covers 1–3 tons per day for small producers. The SL-2200 series handles 4–7 tons per day for medium and large plants. The SL-2600 series reaches 6–8 tons per day for high-volume operations.
Before ordering, confirm your raw material supply, target iodine value, and available power. Then choose a model that leaves room for 20% growth.
Contact Shuliy today for a customized furnace recommendation. We provide layout drawings, power calculations, and quotations based on your specific output target and raw material.
