This study was performed to improve thermal conduction of granular activated carbon by adding graphite powder. Granular activated carbons were fabricated from anthracites and graphite powders using a binder pitch, and then activated in a nitrogen-carbon dioxide gas at 850degreesC. Additions of graphite from 20 to 30 wt% were considered to be suitable for thermal conductivity and n-butane adsorption power. The thermal conductivities of such granular activated carbons were 20 times those of activated carbons without graphite. A fixed bed filled with the granular or powder activated carbons containing graphite were never ignited even though the inside of the bed was directly heated. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.