Conventional steam activation for conversion of oil palm kernel shell biomass into activated carbon via biochar product

Conventional steam activation pyrolysis of waste materials such as oil palm kernel shell for production of biochar was investigated using central composite design. Conventional steam activation was carried out via an initial carbonization of oil palm kernel shell to obtain biochar and thereafter steam activation of the biochar using the conventional heating to produce activated carbon. Additionally, removal of chemical oxygen demand and colour was studied alongside the production. Optimum yield was obtained at about 90 min and 725˚C. Out of the time duration, 80 min was for carbonation and 10 min was for steam activation. Further extension of time was not significant whereas increasing temperature was able to increase the pores found on the biochar. Under the optimum condition, fixed carbon was 19.39%, chemical oxygen demand and colour removal were 32.02 and 61.15%, respectively at 90 min adsorption time. However, when time was extended to 120 min, chemical oxygen demand (48.2%) and colour (94.19%) removal were achieved. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and micropore area of the oil palm kernel shell based activated carbon was 620.45 m²/g and 550.4 m²/g, respectively. The conventional steam activation is an effective method that can be employed in production of activated carbon from waste oil palm kernel shell.