Process for producing granular sulfurized material, granular carbon or granular activated carbon

A process for producing an infusible and insoluble granular sulfurized material which comprises reacting for a time necessary to produce a firm dense granular material, a petroleum heavy material and sulfur with agitation in the presence of a reaction medium at a temperature ranging from about 170.degree. C, to about 400.degree. C, said sulfur being present in an amount of about 0.2 to 5 parts by weight per part by weight of said petroleum heavy material, said petroleum heavy material being a liquid or solid at normal temperature and having a softening point of lower than about 400.degree. C, a boiling point higher than about 300.degree. C, an H/C atomic ratio of about 0.2 to 1.9 and a carbon content of about 80 to 96% by weight, and said reaction medium being a hydrocarbon which is a liquid at normal temperature, which has a boiling point of from about 50.degree. C to about 400.degree. C, and which has a low reactivity with sulfur as compared with said petroleum heavy material and which is present in an amount such that the viscosity of the reaction system is less than about 2,000 CS;

• filtering the reaction mixture to separate an oily material and recover a solid granular sulfurized material.