Optimising Conditions for Activated Charcoal Production from Palm Kernel Shells

In this study 24 factorial experiment was used to identify factors which have prominent effect on the quality of the Activated Charcoal (AC) produced from raw or charred Palm Kernel Shells (PKS), carbonized at 400 or 600 °C, for 20 or 40 min, quenched in iced water (4-10 °C) or tepid water (20-26 °C). The 16 types of AC were tested for individual ability to remove colour, odour and turbidity and analyzed with Yate`s algorithm. The prominent main effects were then optimized. Charred PKS carbonized at 500 °C for 20 min, quenched in alkaline iced water, pulverized and activated in alkaline steam medium at 800 °C for 15 min produced the best adsorbent.