FIELD: carbon materials. SUBSTANCE: method involves charging solid fuel into utilizer constructed in the form of sealed retort evacuated to 0.4-0.6 atm, carbonization of charge to form semicoke and pyrolysis gas, activating semicoke with water steam to give activated carbon and gaseous combustion products, and cooling of activated carbon. Cooling is effected after additional evacuation to 0.4-0.6 atm, during which operation resulting carbon is affected by constant electric field with voltage 1.5-. Carbonization is carried out by heating to 700-900 C and ageing for 2-1.5 h. Activation of semicoke is conducted at steam-to-semicoke weight ratio 1:(1-5). Resulting product is negative hydrogen activated carbon. When oxygen is fed into retort during cooling operation at temperature below 150 C, product is positive activated carbon. EFFECT: increased yield of high-quality activated carbon. 4 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl
