Method for removal of vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream by in-situ activation of carbon-based sorbents

A method of activating a raw carbonaceous starting material, said method comprising the steps of:

• routing a combustion process gas stream to an activation region, said combustion process gas stream having an activation temperature;
• and
• positioning a raw carbonaceous starting material selected from the group consisting of coal, wood, petroleum coke, biomass materials, sewage sludge, organic waste, organic liquids and organic gases that is capable of being suspended in said combustion process gas stream at said activation region, such that said combustion process gas stream activates said raw carbonaceous starting material into an activated carbonaceous material that adsorbs vapor phase contaminants within said combustion process gas stream, wherein said raw carbonaceous starting material and said activated carbon material move concurrently with said combustion process gas stream.

A method of removing vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream, said method comprising the steps of:

• injecting and suspending a raw carbonaceous starting material selected from the group consisting of organic liquids and organic gases into a gas stream that comprises vapor phase contaminants, said gas stream having an activation temperature that activates, within said gas stream, said raw carbonaceous starting material into an activated carbon material that adsorbs said vapor phase contaminants within said gas stream, wherein said raw carbonaceous starting material and said activated carbon material move concurrently with said gas stream;
• and
• collecting said activated carbon material with adsorbed vapor phase contaminants in a particulate collection device.