Desulfurization of Fuel by Activated Carbon Prepared from Trees Residues

Activated carbon (AC) is an important adsorbent in diverse area due well-developed porosity, stability, and low cost. Crucial factors for the optimal preparation of AC are the carbon precursors, activating agents and activation procedure. The objective of this study is to prepare high specific surface area activated carbon by applying novel organic /inorganic two step acid activation and optimization the activation parameters. A new precursors source were investigated Bienertia sinuspersici. The effects of activation temperature, activation time, organic load, and impregnation ratio on the activated carbon yield and sulphur adsorption capacity responses were examined. Optimum activated carbon was produced at 750 Co with a 1.31 impregnation ratio, and organic load 49% with citric acid for 30 min activation time. Activated carbon prepared at optimum conditions which have 50.98% of the yield response and 13.271 mg/g of sulphur adsorption capacity response. N2 adsorption desorption isotherm characterized the surface area, total pore volume, pore size distribution of optimum activated carbons. The specific surface area was found 1661.9 m2/g with total pore volume of 0.9441 cm3/g, and 1.78 nm average pore diameter. The result of Fourier-infrared spectroscopy analysis of the prepared activated carbon confirmed that the carbon has abundant functional groups on the surface. Field emission scanning electron micrographs of the prepared optimum activated carbon showed that has rough porous surface with developed narrow holes, channels, and well intense array of structures was formed during activation.