Development of Better Quality Low-Cost Activated Carbon from South African Pine Tree (Pinus patula) Sawdust: Characterization and Comparative Phenol Adsorption
The remediation of water resources pollution in
developing countries requires the application of alternative
sustainable cheaper and efficient end-of-pipe wastewater treatment
technologies. The feasibility of use of South African cheap and
abundant pine tree (Pinus patula) sawdust for development of lowcost
AC of comparable quality to expensive commercial ACs in the
abatement of water pollution was investigated. AC was developed at
optimized two-stage N2-superheated steam activation conditions in a
fixed bed reactor, and characterized for proximate and ultimate
properties, N2-BET surface area, pore size distribution, SEM, pHPZC
and FTIR. The sawdust pyrolysis activation energy was evaluated by
TGA. Results indicated that the chars prepared at 800oC and 2hrs
were suitable for development of better quality AC at 800oC and 47%
burn-off having BET surface area (1086m2/g), micropore volume
(0.26cm3/g), and mesopore volume (0.43cm3/g) comparable to
expensive commercial ACs, and suitable for water contaminants
removal. The developed AC showed basic surface functionality at
pHPZC at 10.3, and a phenol adsorption capacity that was higher than
that of commercial Norit (RO 0.8) AC. Thus, it is feasible to develop
better quality low-cost AC from (Pinus patula) sawdust using twostage
N2-steam activation in fixed-bed reactor.
<p>[1] U. Pruss-Ustun, R. Bos, F. Gore, J. Bartram, 2008. “Safer water, better
health: Costs, benefits and sustainability of interventions to protect and
promote health,” World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2008.
[2] H. Zhou, D. W. Smith, “Advanced technologies in water and wastewater
treatment,” J. Environ. Eng. Sci. vol.1, pp. 247–264, 2002.
[3] N. Bolong, A. F. Ismail, M. R. Salim, T. Matsuura, “ A review of the
effects of emerging contaminants in wastewater and options for their
removal,” Desalination 239, pp. 229–246, Mar. 2009.
[4] D. Rhedditota, A.Yerramilli, R. J. Krupadam, “Electrocoagulation: A
cleaner method for treatment of Cr (VI) from electroplating industrial
effluents,” Indian journal of chemical technology, vol. 14, pp. 240-245,
May 2007.
[5] R. Qu, J. Shi, D. Li, Z. Wei, X. Yang, Z. Wang, “Heavy Metal and
Phosphorus Removal from Waters by Optimizing Use of Calcium
Hydroxide and Risk Assessment,” Environment and Pollution, vol. 1,
no.1, pp. 38-54, Jan. 2012
[6] P. C. Mouli, S. K. Mohan, J. S. Reddy, “Electrochemical processes for
the remediation of waste water and contaminated soil: emerging
technology,” Journal of scientific and industrial research, vol. 63, pp.
11-19, Jan. 2004.
[7] A. Rubalcaba, M. E. Suarez-Ojeda, F Stuber, A. Fortuny, C. Bengoa, I.
Metcalfe, J. Font, J. Carrera, A. Fabregat, “Phenol wastewater
remediation: advanced oxidation processes coupled to a biological
treatment,” Water Science & Technology, vol. 55, no. 12, pp. 221–227,
2007.
[8] A. Ahmad, M. Rafatullahb, O. Sulaimanb, M. H. Ibrahima, Y. Y. Chiia,
B. M. Siddiquea, “Removal of Cu (II) and Pb (II) ions from aqueous
solutions by adsorption on sawdust of Meranti wood,” Desalination,
247, pp. 636–646, Jan. 2009.
[9] N. S. Mamphweli, E. L. Meyer, “Implementation of the biomass
gasification project for community empowerment at Melani village,
Eastern Cape, South Africa,” Renewable Energy 34, pp. 2923–2927,
Jun. 2009.
[10] D. Honsbein, “Examples of Biomass Utilisation in South Africa – PyNe
issue 21,” 2009 (Online). Available from:
http://www.pyne.co.uk/Resources/user/PYNE%20Newsletters/PyNews
%2021.pdf (Accessed: 2010/11/23).
[11] G. Busca, S. Berardinelli, C. Resini, L. Arrighi, “Technologies for the
removal of phenol from fluid streams: A short review of recent
developments,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 160, pp. 265–288,
2008.
[12] K. Acikalm, “Pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of pistachio shell by
thermogravimetric analysis,” J. Therm. Anal.Calori, May 2011.
[13] K. B. Cantrell, J. H. Martin, K. S. Ro, “Application of
Thermogravimetric Analysis for the Proximate Analysis of Livestock
Wastes,” Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 1-13, Jan.
2010.
[14] M. Valix, W. H. Cheung, G. McKay, “Preparation of activated carbon
using low temperature carbonisation and physical activation of high ash
raw bagasse for acid dye adsorption,” Chemosphere 56, pp. 493–501,
Apr. 2004.
[15] S. L. Goertzen, K. D. Theriault, A. M. Oickle, A. C. Tarasuk, H. A.
Andreas, “Standardization of the Boehm titration. Part I. CO2 expulsion
and endpoint determination,” Carbon 48, pp. 1252-1261, 2010.
[16] A. M. Puziy, O. I. Poddubnaya, V. N. Zaotsev, O. P. Konoplitska,
“Modelling of heavy metal ion binding by phosphoric acid activated
carbons,” Applied Surface Science 221, pp. 421- 429, Jul. 2004.
[17] K. Foo, B. H. Hameed, “Insight into the modeling of adsorption
isotherm systems,” Chemical Engineering journal 156, pp. 2-10, 2010.
[18] H. Marsh, R. F. Rodriguez, Activated carbon, 1st ed. United Kingdom:
Elsevier Ltd. 2006, pp. 13-86, 143-365.
[19] J. E. White, W. J. Catallo, B. L. Legendre, “Biomass pyrolysis kinetics:
A comparative critical review with relevant agricultural residue case
studies,” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 91, pp. 1–33,
2011.
[20] M. Guerrero, M. P. Ruiz, M. U. Alzueta, R. Bilbao , A. Millera,
“Pyrolysis of eucalyptus at different heating rates: studies of char
characterization and oxidative reactivity,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 74,
pp. 307–314, Mar. 2005
[21] S. H. Beis, O. Onay, O. M. Kockar, “Fixed-bed pyrolysis of safflower
seed: influence of pyrolysis parameters on product yields and
compositions,” Renewable Energy 26, pp. 21–32, 2002.
[22] S. Baral, S. N. Das, P. Rath, “Hexavalent chromium removal from
aqueous solution by adsorption on treated sawdust,” Biochemical
Engineering Journal 31, pp. 216–222, Aug. 2006.
[23] N. Tancredi, T. Cordero, J. R. Mirasol, J. J. Rodriguez, “Activated
carbons from Uruguayan eucalyptus wood,” Fuel. vol. 75, no. 15, pp.
1701-1706, 1996.
[24] T. Yang, A. C. Lua, Characteristics of activated carbons prepared from
pistachio-nut shells by physical activation. Journal of Colloid and
Interface Science 267, pp. 408–417, Jul. 2003.
[25] C. T. Hsieh, H. Teng, “Influence of mesopore volume and adsorbate size
on adsorption capacities of activated carbons in aqueous solutions,”
Carbon 38, pp. 863–869, 2000.
[26] C. Moreno-Castilla, “Adsorption of organic molecules from aqueous
solutions on carbon Materials,” Carbon 42, pp. 83–94. 2004
[27] A. M. Puziy, O. I. Poddubnaya, A. M. Alonso, A. C. Muniz, F. S.
Garcıa, J. S. J. Tascon, “ Oxygen and phosphorus enriched carbons from
lignocellulosic material,” Carbon 45, pp. 1941–1950, Jul. 2007.
[28] F. Villacanas, M. F. R. Pereira, J. J. M. Orfao, J. L, Figueiredo,
“Adsorption of simple aromatic compounds on activated carbons,”
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 293, pp. 128–136, 2006.
[29] K. A. Krishnan, K. G. Sreejalekshmi, S. Varghese, “Adsorptive retention
of citric acid onto activated carbon prepared from Havea braziliansis
sawdust: Kinetic and isotherm overview,” Desalination 257, pp. 46–52,
2010.
[30] G. V. Nunell, M. E. Fernandez,P. E. Bonelli, A. L. Cukierman,
“Conversion of biomass from an invasive species into activated carbons
for removal of nitrate from wastewater,” Biomass and bioenergy 44, pp.
87-95, 2012.
[31] D. Nabarlatz, J. De Celis, P. Bonelli, A. L. Cukierman, “ Batch and
dynamic sorption of Ni (II) ions by activated carbon based on a native
lignocellulosic precursor,” Journal of Environmental Management 97,
pp. 109-115, 2012.
[32] B. H. Hameed, A. A. Rahman, “Removal of phenol from aqueous
solutions by adsorption onto activated carbon prepared from biomass
material,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 160, pp. 576–581, 2008.
[33] A. Aworn, P. Thiravetyan, W. Nakbanpote, “Preparation and
characteristics of agricultural waste activated carbon by physical
activation having micro- and mesopores,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 82,
pp. 279–285, 2008.
[34] L. Giraldo- Gutierrez, J. C. Moreno- Pirajan, “ Pb(II) and Cr(VI)
adsorption from aqueous solution on activated carbons obtained from
sugar cane husk and sawdust,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 81, pp. 278–284,
Jan. 2008
[35] J. Matos, C. Nahas, L. Rojas, M. Rosales, “Synthesis and
characterization of activated carbon from sawdust of Algarroba wood. 1.
Physical activation and pyrolysis,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 196,
pp. 360– 369, 2011.
[36] S. Noonpui, P. Thiravetyan, W. Nakbanpote, S. Netpradit, “Color
removal from water-based ink wastewater by bagasse fly ash, sawdust
fly ash and activated carbon,” Chemical Engineering Journal 162, pp.
503-508, May 2010.
[37] K. Y. Foo, B. H. Hameed, “Mesoporous activated carbon from wood
sawdust by K2CO3 activation using microwave heating,” Bioresource
Technology 111, pp. 425–432, 2012.
[38] E. Taer, M. Deraman, I. A. Talib, A. A. Umar, M. Oyama, R. M. Yunus,
“Physical, electrochemical and super capacitive properties of activated
carbon pellets from pre-carbonized rubber wood sawdust by CO2
activation,” Current Applied Physics 10, pp. 1071–1075, 2010.
[39] E. T. Musapatika “ Use of low-cost adsorbents to treat industrial
wastewater,” MSc. Eng. Johannesburg, University of the Witwaterand,
2010.
[40] V. C. Strivastava, M. M. Swamy, I. D. Mall, B. Prasad, I. M. Mishra,
“Adsorptive removal of phenol by bagasse fly ash and activated carbon:
equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics,” Colloids Surf. A:
Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 272, pp. 89–104, Sept. 2006.
[41] B. Ozkaya, “Adsorption and desorption of phenol on activated carbon
and a comparison of isotherm models,” Journal of Hazardous Materials,
B129, pp. 158–163, 2006.
[42] P. A. M. Mourao, P. J. M. Carrott, M. M. L. R. Carrott, “Application of
different equations to adsorption isotherms of phenolic compounds on
activated carbons prepared from cork,” Carbon 44, pp. 2422–2429, May
2006.
[43] K. P. Singh, A. Malik, S. Sinha, P. Ojha, “Liquid phase adsorption of
phenol using activated carbons derived from agricultural waste
material,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 150, pp. 626-641, 2008.
[44] A. Kumar, S. Kumar, S. Kumar, D. V. Gupta, “Adsorption of phenol and
4-nitrophenol on granular activated carbon in basal salt medium:
equilibrium and kinetics,” J. Hazard. Material 147, pp. 155–166, Dec.
2007.
[45] T. S. Anirudhan, S. S. Sreekumari, C. D. Bringle, “Removal of phenols
from water and petroleum industry refinery effluents by activated carbon
obtained from coconut coir pith,” Adsorption 15, pp. 439–451, Aug.
2009.
[46] Z. Alam, E. S. Ameem, S. A. Muyibi, N. A. Kabbashi, “The factors
affecting the performance of activated carbon prepared from oil palm
empty fruit bunches for adsorption of phenol,” Chemical Engineering
Journal 155, pp. 191-198, 2009.
[47] O. Hamdaoui, E. Naffrechoux, “Modeling of adsorption isotherms of
phenol and chlorophenols onto granular activated carbon Part I. Twoparameter
models and equations allowing determination of
thermodynamic parameters,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 147, pp.
381–394, Jan. 2007
[48] K. Mohanty, D. Das, M.N. Biswas, “Adsorption of phenol from aqueous
solutions using activated carbons prepared from Tectona grandis
sawdust by ZnCl2 activation,” Chemical Engineering Journal 115, pp.
121–131, Sept. 2005</p>
<p>[1] U. Pruss-Ustun, R. Bos, F. Gore, J. Bartram, 2008. “Safer water, better
health: Costs, benefits and sustainability of interventions to protect and
promote health,” World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2008.
[2] H. Zhou, D. W. Smith, “Advanced technologies in water and wastewater
treatment,” J. Environ. Eng. Sci. vol.1, pp. 247–264, 2002.
[3] N. Bolong, A. F. Ismail, M. R. Salim, T. Matsuura, “ A review of the
effects of emerging contaminants in wastewater and options for their
removal,” Desalination 239, pp. 229–246, Mar. 2009.
[4] D. Rhedditota, A.Yerramilli, R. J. Krupadam, “Electrocoagulation: A
cleaner method for treatment of Cr (VI) from electroplating industrial
effluents,” Indian journal of chemical technology, vol. 14, pp. 240-245,
May 2007.
[5] R. Qu, J. Shi, D. Li, Z. Wei, X. Yang, Z. Wang, “Heavy Metal and
Phosphorus Removal from Waters by Optimizing Use of Calcium
Hydroxide and Risk Assessment,” Environment and Pollution, vol. 1,
no.1, pp. 38-54, Jan. 2012
[6] P. C. Mouli, S. K. Mohan, J. S. Reddy, “Electrochemical processes for
the remediation of waste water and contaminated soil: emerging
technology,” Journal of scientific and industrial research, vol. 63, pp.
11-19, Jan. 2004.
[7] A. Rubalcaba, M. E. Suarez-Ojeda, F Stuber, A. Fortuny, C. Bengoa, I.
Metcalfe, J. Font, J. Carrera, A. Fabregat, “Phenol wastewater
remediation: advanced oxidation processes coupled to a biological
treatment,” Water Science & Technology, vol. 55, no. 12, pp. 221–227,
2007.
[8] A. Ahmad, M. Rafatullahb, O. Sulaimanb, M. H. Ibrahima, Y. Y. Chiia,
B. M. Siddiquea, “Removal of Cu (II) and Pb (II) ions from aqueous
solutions by adsorption on sawdust of Meranti wood,” Desalination,
247, pp. 636–646, Jan. 2009.
[9] N. S. Mamphweli, E. L. Meyer, “Implementation of the biomass
gasification project for community empowerment at Melani village,
Eastern Cape, South Africa,” Renewable Energy 34, pp. 2923–2927,
Jun. 2009.
[10] D. Honsbein, “Examples of Biomass Utilisation in South Africa – PyNe
issue 21,” 2009 (Online). Available from:
http://www.pyne.co.uk/Resources/user/PYNE%20Newsletters/PyNews
%2021.pdf (Accessed: 2010/11/23).
[11] G. Busca, S. Berardinelli, C. Resini, L. Arrighi, “Technologies for the
removal of phenol from fluid streams: A short review of recent
developments,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 160, pp. 265–288,
2008.
[12] K. Acikalm, “Pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of pistachio shell by
thermogravimetric analysis,” J. Therm. Anal.Calori, May 2011.
[13] K. B. Cantrell, J. H. Martin, K. S. Ro, “Application of
Thermogravimetric Analysis for the Proximate Analysis of Livestock
Wastes,” Journal of ASTM International, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 1-13, Jan.
2010.
[14] M. Valix, W. H. Cheung, G. McKay, “Preparation of activated carbon
using low temperature carbonisation and physical activation of high ash
raw bagasse for acid dye adsorption,” Chemosphere 56, pp. 493–501,
Apr. 2004.
[15] S. L. Goertzen, K. D. Theriault, A. M. Oickle, A. C. Tarasuk, H. A.
Andreas, “Standardization of the Boehm titration. Part I. CO2 expulsion
and endpoint determination,” Carbon 48, pp. 1252-1261, 2010.
[16] A. M. Puziy, O. I. Poddubnaya, V. N. Zaotsev, O. P. Konoplitska,
“Modelling of heavy metal ion binding by phosphoric acid activated
carbons,” Applied Surface Science 221, pp. 421- 429, Jul. 2004.
[17] K. Foo, B. H. Hameed, “Insight into the modeling of adsorption
isotherm systems,” Chemical Engineering journal 156, pp. 2-10, 2010.
[18] H. Marsh, R. F. Rodriguez, Activated carbon, 1st ed. United Kingdom:
Elsevier Ltd. 2006, pp. 13-86, 143-365.
[19] J. E. White, W. J. Catallo, B. L. Legendre, “Biomass pyrolysis kinetics:
A comparative critical review with relevant agricultural residue case
studies,” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 91, pp. 1–33,
2011.
[20] M. Guerrero, M. P. Ruiz, M. U. Alzueta, R. Bilbao , A. Millera,
“Pyrolysis of eucalyptus at different heating rates: studies of char
characterization and oxidative reactivity,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 74,
pp. 307–314, Mar. 2005
[21] S. H. Beis, O. Onay, O. M. Kockar, “Fixed-bed pyrolysis of safflower
seed: influence of pyrolysis parameters on product yields and
compositions,” Renewable Energy 26, pp. 21–32, 2002.
[22] S. Baral, S. N. Das, P. Rath, “Hexavalent chromium removal from
aqueous solution by adsorption on treated sawdust,” Biochemical
Engineering Journal 31, pp. 216–222, Aug. 2006.
[23] N. Tancredi, T. Cordero, J. R. Mirasol, J. J. Rodriguez, “Activated
carbons from Uruguayan eucalyptus wood,” Fuel. vol. 75, no. 15, pp.
1701-1706, 1996.
[24] T. Yang, A. C. Lua, Characteristics of activated carbons prepared from
pistachio-nut shells by physical activation. Journal of Colloid and
Interface Science 267, pp. 408–417, Jul. 2003.
[25] C. T. Hsieh, H. Teng, “Influence of mesopore volume and adsorbate size
on adsorption capacities of activated carbons in aqueous solutions,”
Carbon 38, pp. 863–869, 2000.
[26] C. Moreno-Castilla, “Adsorption of organic molecules from aqueous
solutions on carbon Materials,” Carbon 42, pp. 83–94. 2004
[27] A. M. Puziy, O. I. Poddubnaya, A. M. Alonso, A. C. Muniz, F. S.
Garcıa, J. S. J. Tascon, “ Oxygen and phosphorus enriched carbons from
lignocellulosic material,” Carbon 45, pp. 1941–1950, Jul. 2007.
[28] F. Villacanas, M. F. R. Pereira, J. J. M. Orfao, J. L, Figueiredo,
“Adsorption of simple aromatic compounds on activated carbons,”
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 293, pp. 128–136, 2006.
[29] K. A. Krishnan, K. G. Sreejalekshmi, S. Varghese, “Adsorptive retention
of citric acid onto activated carbon prepared from Havea braziliansis
sawdust: Kinetic and isotherm overview,” Desalination 257, pp. 46–52,
2010.
[30] G. V. Nunell, M. E. Fernandez,P. E. Bonelli, A. L. Cukierman,
“Conversion of biomass from an invasive species into activated carbons
for removal of nitrate from wastewater,” Biomass and bioenergy 44, pp.
87-95, 2012.
[31] D. Nabarlatz, J. De Celis, P. Bonelli, A. L. Cukierman, “ Batch and
dynamic sorption of Ni (II) ions by activated carbon based on a native
lignocellulosic precursor,” Journal of Environmental Management 97,
pp. 109-115, 2012.
[32] B. H. Hameed, A. A. Rahman, “Removal of phenol from aqueous
solutions by adsorption onto activated carbon prepared from biomass
material,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 160, pp. 576–581, 2008.
[33] A. Aworn, P. Thiravetyan, W. Nakbanpote, “Preparation and
characteristics of agricultural waste activated carbon by physical
activation having micro- and mesopores,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 82,
pp. 279–285, 2008.
[34] L. Giraldo- Gutierrez, J. C. Moreno- Pirajan, “ Pb(II) and Cr(VI)
adsorption from aqueous solution on activated carbons obtained from
sugar cane husk and sawdust,” J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 81, pp. 278–284,
Jan. 2008
[35] J. Matos, C. Nahas, L. Rojas, M. Rosales, “Synthesis and
characterization of activated carbon from sawdust of Algarroba wood. 1.
Physical activation and pyrolysis,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 196,
pp. 360– 369, 2011.
[36] S. Noonpui, P. Thiravetyan, W. Nakbanpote, S. Netpradit, “Color
removal from water-based ink wastewater by bagasse fly ash, sawdust
fly ash and activated carbon,” Chemical Engineering Journal 162, pp.
503-508, May 2010.
[37] K. Y. Foo, B. H. Hameed, “Mesoporous activated carbon from wood
sawdust by K2CO3 activation using microwave heating,” Bioresource
Technology 111, pp. 425–432, 2012.
[38] E. Taer, M. Deraman, I. A. Talib, A. A. Umar, M. Oyama, R. M. Yunus,
“Physical, electrochemical and super capacitive properties of activated
carbon pellets from pre-carbonized rubber wood sawdust by CO2
activation,” Current Applied Physics 10, pp. 1071–1075, 2010.
[39] E. T. Musapatika “ Use of low-cost adsorbents to treat industrial
wastewater,” MSc. Eng. Johannesburg, University of the Witwaterand,
2010.
[40] V. C. Strivastava, M. M. Swamy, I. D. Mall, B. Prasad, I. M. Mishra,
“Adsorptive removal of phenol by bagasse fly ash and activated carbon:
equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics,” Colloids Surf. A:
Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 272, pp. 89–104, Sept. 2006.
[41] B. Ozkaya, “Adsorption and desorption of phenol on activated carbon
and a comparison of isotherm models,” Journal of Hazardous Materials,
B129, pp. 158–163, 2006.
[42] P. A. M. Mourao, P. J. M. Carrott, M. M. L. R. Carrott, “Application of
different equations to adsorption isotherms of phenolic compounds on
activated carbons prepared from cork,” Carbon 44, pp. 2422–2429, May
2006.
[43] K. P. Singh, A. Malik, S. Sinha, P. Ojha, “Liquid phase adsorption of
phenol using activated carbons derived from agricultural waste
material,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 150, pp. 626-641, 2008.
[44] A. Kumar, S. Kumar, S. Kumar, D. V. Gupta, “Adsorption of phenol and
4-nitrophenol on granular activated carbon in basal salt medium:
equilibrium and kinetics,” J. Hazard. Material 147, pp. 155–166, Dec.
2007.
[45] T. S. Anirudhan, S. S. Sreekumari, C. D. Bringle, “Removal of phenols
from water and petroleum industry refinery effluents by activated carbon
obtained from coconut coir pith,” Adsorption 15, pp. 439–451, Aug.
2009.
[46] Z. Alam, E. S. Ameem, S. A. Muyibi, N. A. Kabbashi, “The factors
affecting the performance of activated carbon prepared from oil palm
empty fruit bunches for adsorption of phenol,” Chemical Engineering
Journal 155, pp. 191-198, 2009.
[47] O. Hamdaoui, E. Naffrechoux, “Modeling of adsorption isotherms of
phenol and chlorophenols onto granular activated carbon Part I. Twoparameter
models and equations allowing determination of
thermodynamic parameters,” Journal of Hazardous Materials 147, pp.
381–394, Jan. 2007
[48] K. Mohanty, D. Das, M.N. Biswas, “Adsorption of phenol from aqueous
solutions using activated carbons prepared from Tectona grandis
sawdust by ZnCl2 activation,” Chemical Engineering Journal 115, pp.
121–131, Sept. 2005</p>
@article{"International Journal of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Sciences:52523", author = "L. Mukosha and M. S. Onyango and A. Ochieng and H. Kasaini", title = "Development of Better Quality Low-Cost Activated Carbon from South African Pine Tree (Pinus patula) Sawdust: Characterization and Comparative Phenol Adsorption", abstract = "The remediation of water resources pollution in
developing countries requires the application of alternative
sustainable cheaper and efficient end-of-pipe wastewater treatment
technologies. The feasibility of use of South African cheap and
abundant pine tree (Pinus patula) sawdust for development of lowcost
AC of comparable quality to expensive commercial ACs in the
abatement of water pollution was investigated. AC was developed at
optimized two-stage N2-superheated steam activation conditions in a
fixed bed reactor, and characterized for proximate and ultimate
properties, N2-BET surface area, pore size distribution, SEM, pHPZC
and FTIR. The sawdust pyrolysis activation energy was evaluated by
TGA. Results indicated that the chars prepared at 800oC and 2hrs
were suitable for development of better quality AC at 800oC and 47%
burn-off having BET surface area (1086m2/g), micropore volume
(0.26cm3/g), and mesopore volume (0.43cm3/g) comparable to
expensive commercial ACs, and suitable for water contaminants
removal. The developed AC showed basic surface functionality at
pHPZC at 10.3, and a phenol adsorption capacity that was higher than
that of commercial Norit (RO 0.8) AC. Thus, it is feasible to develop
better quality low-cost AC from (Pinus patula) sawdust using twostage
N2-steam activation in fixed-bed reactor.
", keywords = "Activated carbon, phenol adsorption, sawdust
integrated utilization, economical wastewater treatment.", volume = "7", number = "7", pages = "501-11", }
