PROXIMATE AND ULTIMATE ANALYSES OF PALM KERNEL SHELL AS PRECURSOR FOR ACTIVATED CARBON
Abstract
Author(s): Joseph A. Lori*, Lydia Afolabi and Anako O. Lawal
This study reports the proximate and ultimate characteristics of palm kernel shell in relation to their suitability for producing highly porous carbon. The results of ad hoc samples indicated, that p article size has a decisive influence on the proximate characteristics of palm kernel shell. The effects of particle size on weight loss characteristics; rates of dehydration and de-volatilization of the carbon precursors were used to assess particle sizes that may be appropriate for carbonization. Particle sizes of 425-1180 µm are thus, suggested to be the most desirable, for the production of good quality porous carbon. This range of particles of palm kernel shell were associated with diminishing ash contents. However, the optimum particle size of the cellulosic materials that is expected to yield highly porous carbon with minimum ash contents is 1180 µm.
