Production of Granular Activated Carbon from Mesquite Trees

Abstract

This paper study the production of granular activated carbon (AC) from mesquite trees, where the previous studies used other materials. Mesquite trees have many problems to agriculture and environment,especially here in Sudan. It’s grows quickly and furnish shade and wildlife habitat where other trees will not grow. Activated carbon was prepared through chemical activation using ortho phosphoric acid in a fixed concentration (95%) to activate the raw material at 600, 650 and 700° C in a different time of activation 1.5 and 2 hours respectively, the average yield was approximately 28%. Methylene blueis the parameter of surface area and iodine value is the parameter of porous structure of the AC. 2:1it’s the percentage of acid to the raw material that used here. The effect of various process parameters like bulk density at 150°C and pH was determined and evaluated. Almost parameters were in a typical range of preparation, so AC can be prepared commercially to use in many application.