Production of Activated Carbon from Palm Kernel Shell for Gold Adsorption Using Leachates from Cocoa Husk Ash (Crude Potash) As Activating Agent
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Date
2013
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Abstract
Activated carbon, a porous amorphous industrial adsorbent used extensively in gold mine operations in Ghana was prepared from the agricultural waste, palm kernel shell using crude potash leached from another agricultural waste; cocoa husk ash as the chemical activating agent. The effect of impregnating ratios (I.R.), impregnating temperatures (room temperature and 85°C) and carbonisation/activation temperatures (600°C - 800°C) on the quality of the produced granular activated carbon was investigated. The produced activated carbons of particle sizes between 1190μm and 2380μm recorded a mean fresh carbon activity of 91.67% for samples impregnated at 85°C and activated at 800°C at an I.R. of 1.0. An ash content of 2.95 - 6.68% was obtained for the produced GAC impregnated at both room temperature and 85°C. The apparent density of the samples ranged from 0.22 – 0.69g/mL. The quality of the activated carbon was not affected to any significant degree by impregnating temperatures.
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A Thesis submitted to
The School of Graduate Studies
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Chemical Engineering,