Activated carbon Norit R3ex after ash removal was thermally treated at various temperatures (950, 1500, 1800 and 2100 degreesC) in an inert gas atmosphere (Ar). Characterization of porosity of obtained samples was performed by applying the gas adsorption/desorption technique and SAXS method. The substantial decrease of the porosity is observed in the case of carbons prepared within the range of higher temperatures. Heats of wetting for the carbon samples were measured. The specific excess adsorption isotherms from binary and ternary liquid mixtures of benzene, n-heptane and 2-propanol were measured on the carbon samples by a static immersion method. Adsorption parameters were calculated for all investigated gas and liquid systems. The influence of the degree of graphitization of investigated carbons on the adsorption from liquid phase is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.