New raw material for activated carbon: I. Methylene blue adsorption on activated carbon prepared from Khaya senegalensis fruits

activated carbons were prepared from khaya senegalensis fruits. carbonization and activation temperatures were 500°c and 800°c, respectively, at residence time of 5 min for each process. activating agents were 1m each of naci, kcl, cacl2, mgcl2.6h2o, na2co3 k2co3 h2so4, and zncl2. particle size was 125 um and adsorption studies were carried out using methylene blue in aqueous solution as adsórbate through fixed beds in micro columns. equilibrium data were analyzed using adsorption intensity and capacity parameters from the freundlich isotherms as well as breakthrough curves. results were compared with performances of commercial animal charcoal and granular activated carbon. the results suggest that k senegalensis fruits are suitable raw matenals for producing activated carbons. the naci activated carbon has the best adsorption characteristics which are better than the commercial products .