Activated Carbon Preparation from Eucalyptus Wood Chips using Continuous Carbonization - Steam Activation Process in a Batch Intermittent Rotary Kiln

Abstract

The production of activated carbon from eucalyptus wood chips by steam activation in a 2000 kg batch intermittent rotary kiln with continuous carbonization - steam activation process at 500°C to 700 °C was studied. The activated carbon products were characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and BET analyzer. Percent yields, iodine number, and methylene number of the produced activated carbon materials were also measured. It was shown that the percent yield of the activated carbon materials made in the temperatures range of 500°C to 700 °C are 21.63 ± 1.52% − 31.79 ± 0.70% with capacities of 518–737 mg I2/g and 70.11–96.93 mg methylene blue /g. The BET surface area and micropore volume of the activated carbons are 426.8125-870.4732 m2/g and 0.102390–0.215473 cm3/g, respectively. The steam used in the process could create various oxygen containing surface functional groups such as –CO and –COC groups. In addition, it could also increase the amorphous nature of the activated carbon product. These properties of the activated carbon products are increased with increasing steam activation temperature from 500°C to 700°C. As a result, the activated carbon materials produced at activation temperatures of 600 °C and 700 °C have higher adsorption