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RESEARCH NOTES

Vol. 36 No. 1 (2009)

New raw material for activated carbon. I. Methylene blue adsorption on activated carbon prepared from Khaya senegalensis fruits

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-16202009000100010
Submitted
June 22, 2021
Published
2009-04-30

Abstract

Activated carbons were prepared from Khaya senegalensis fruits. Carbonization and activation temperatures were 500oC and 800oC, respectively, at residence time of 5 min for each process. Activating agents were 1M each of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2.6H2O, Na2CO3, K2CO3, H2SO4, and ZnCI2. Particle size was 125 μm and adsorption studies were carried out using methylene blue in aqueous solution as adsorbate through fi xed beds in micro columns. Equilibrium data were analyzed using adsorption intensity and capacity parameters from the Freundlich isotherms as well as breakthrough curves. Results were compared with performances of commercial animal charcoal and granular activated carbon. The results suggest that K. senegalensis fruits are suitable raw materials for producing activated carbons. The NaCI activated carbon has the best adsorption characteristics which are better than the commercial products.