Abstract:
The aim of this research is to produce a low cost activated carbon from the rubberwood charcoal and coconut shell charcoal. The experiments were divided into two parts. In the first part all experiments were carried out in laboratory kiln to evaluate the suitable activation temperature and optimum particle size of carbon charcoal. The result showed that the activation temperatures of 700°C and 800°C were suitable for producing activated carbon from rubberwood charcoal and coconut shell charcoal, respectively. Optimum particle size of rubberwood and coconut shell charcoal was between 2.36 and 4.75 mm. The relative efficiencies of iodine adsorption of coconut shell activated carbon and rubberwood activated carbon compared to commercial activated carbon were 70% and 100%, respectively. In the second part, larger scale steam activation rotary kiln heated by rubberwood charcoal was designed and constructed. The kiln was capable of producing 0.5 kg of activated carbon from 1.0 kg of charcoal raw material. Activated carbon produced from charcoal of rubberwood and coconut shell had the iodine numbers of 627 mg/g and 606 mg/g, respectively, which were higher than 600 mg/g as required by the industrial standard (TIS. 900-2532). From an economical point of view, a pay back peroid of this first experimental kiln would be obtained within 2 years. Improvement of the heat source system is required to reduce the operating cost of the activation process.
WALAILAK UNIVERSITY. CENTER FOR LIBRARY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL MEDIA