Processes and compositions for carbon foam materials

A process for producing a carbon foam material, the process comprising:

• a heating step comprising heating a homogeneous mixture of a coal material and at least one conductive carbon material in a heating apparatus, thereby forming the carbon foam material;
• wherein the coal material has a particle size of between about 10 mesh and about 400 mesh;
• wherein the coal material is present in an amount of from about 20 wt % to about 75 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture;
• and
• wherein the at least one conductive carbon material is present in an amount of from about 25 wt % to about 80 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture;
• wherein the heating apparatus provides electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of about 1 m to 1 mm and a frequency between 300 MHz and 300 GHz, provides an alternating magnetic field for inductive heating, or a combination thereof;
• wherein the at least one conductive carbon material is capable of absorbing microwave radiation, interacting with an electromagnetic field, or a combination thereof;
• wherein the homogeneous mixture further comprises a flux agent, a secondary flux agent, a lignocellulosic waste material, a solvent, or a combination thereof;
• and
• wherein the solvent comprises N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, kerosene, or a combination thereof.