The Structure and Activation Conditions of Chars Obtained from Palm Kernel Shell and Waste Rubber Wood

Abstract

For the effective application of plam kernel shell and waste rubber wood, the conditions of activation of chars obtained from these starting materials were studied based on the observa tion of thier surface structures and their ash analyses. The electron microscope observation of the surface structures of starting chars showed that their porosities become lower in the following order; rubber wood charcoal>chip charcoal>coconut shell charcoal>palm kern el shell charcoal. The steam activation of these starting chars were carried out in a pilot rotary kiln, and adsorption\ characteristics as well as chemical composition of ash were examined for chars at the stages of starting, after activation, after water-washing and afer acid-washing. From the surface structure and ash analysis (ash content and chemical composition) of the starting chars, gas activation rate of rubber wood charcoal was estimated the highest, followed by chip charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, and palm kernel shell charcoal in this order. This was verified from the results of steam activation in a rotary kiln on a commercial scale.