World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt
Abstract
This paper presents the performance evaluation of locally prepared
activated carbon from rice husk and saw dust. The raw materials were
carbonized at different temperatures (600-800°C) using sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) as the activating agent. The study includes moisture
content determination of the raw materials used in the activation and
carbonization processes. The effects of variations in carbonization
temperature and concentration of activating agent on various
performance indices for good quality absorbent were investigated. The
percentage yield of the activated carbon from the raw materials as well
as iodine number and adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions
were also determined. The experimental data which make a comparative
assessment of activated carbon obtained from rice husk and saw dust
were also presented. Preliminary examination of the raw materials
showed that rice husk and saw dust had a moisture content of 14.6% and
5.8% respectively. Increase in carbonization temperature decreases
yield of the active carbon. The highest yield of about 48% was obtained
from rice husk at 600°C, with moisture content of 26%. The rice
husk at 800°C gave a yield of 47.2% with moisture content of
26.5%. Whilst the yield of the saw dust was 44% at 600°C and 40%
at 800°C with moisture content of 17% and 19% respectively. A
detailed study of mass transfer processes indicated that activated
carbon from these materials show good performance