Biochar as potential precursors for activated carbon production: parametric analysis and multi-response optimization
2020
Nor Adilla Rashidi, | Suzana Yusup,
Accelerating greenhouse gas emission particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere has become a major concern. Adsorption process has been proposed as a promising technology for CO₂ adsorption from flue gas, and the carbonaceous adsorbent is a potential candidate for CO₂ adsorption at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. Biochar derived from palm kernel shell waste was applied as a potential precursor for activated carbon production. This research study employed the response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design to optimize the parameters involved in producing exceptional activated carbon with high yield (Y₁) and CO₂ adsorptive characteristics (Y₂). Specifically, parameters studied include the activation temperature (750–950 °C), holding time (60–120 min), and CO₂ flow rate (150–450 mL/min). The activated carbon at the optimum conditions was characterized using various analytical instruments, including elemental analyzer, nitrogen (N₂) physisorption analyzer, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Overall, utilization of biochar as the activated carbon precursor is practical compared with the traditional non-renewable materials, due to its cost efficiencies and it being more environment-friendly ensuring process sustainability. Besides, this research study that incorporates physical activation with CO₂ as the activating agent is attractive, because it directly promotes CO₂ utilization and capture, in addition to the absence of any chemicals that may result in the secondary pollution problems.
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