Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon Made From Palm-Kernel Shell, Coconut Shell, Groundnut Shell and Obeche Wood (Investigation of Apparent Density, Total Ash Content, Moisture Content, Particle Size Distribution Parameters

Abstract

The following locally available materials viz: palm kernel nut shell, coconut shell, and groundnut shell and obeche wood were collected from various locations within Delta state. These materials were carbonized for one hour in a muffle furnace at different optimum devolatilization temperature of between 250⁰C and 750⁰C. They were chemically activated for 15 minutes at different temperature range of between 500⁰C and 1000⁰C by the mixture of activating agents of potassium trioxocarbonate [IV] [K₂CO₃] and sodium hydrogen trioxocarbonate [IV] [K₂CO₃] at the ratio of 1:1.The activated carbons were washed with 0.5M acetic acid, rinsed with distilled water until the pH is within 6 - 7 and dried. The activated carbons thus obtained were smoothened and characterized based on the following parameters viz apparent density,moisture content, total ash content, particle size distribution and average particle size distribution. The results of the characterization show that apparent density falls between 0.36 – 0.5mg/1, total ash content falls between 1.54 - 6.20%, moisture content falls between 3.57 - 7.14%, particle size distribution falls between 6.0 - 40% and average particle size distribution falls between 14.29 – 33.33%. The results were compared with standard specification range for American society for Testing and materials (ASTM) and they were found to fall within the range recommended by ASTM. Hence, the activated carbons characterized were found to be suitable for the treatment of effluent water and gases. The higher apparent density, lower moisture content and lower ash content of palm-kernel shell and coconut shell activated carbon showed that they are fairly better than groundnut shell and Obeche wood activated carbon. Palm-kernel shell and coconut shell are also fairly better in term of particles size distribution.