Preparation of activated carbon from oil palm empty fruit bunch by physical activation for treatment of landfill leachate

Abstract

The present work demonstrates the preparation of oil palm empty fruit bunch derived activated carbon (EFBAC) by air in a closed furnace for the adsorptive removal of COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and colour from landfill leachate. The removal of COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and colour were investigated with EFBAC activated at different activation temperatures and activation time. Yield of EFBAC at different activation temperatures and time were also examined. The experimental results manifested that increasing activation temperature increased COD removal but decreased colour removal. It has no significant removal on ammoniacal nitrogen. Increasing activation time increased COD and colour removal but has no significant removal on ammoniacal nitrogen. Furthermore, yield of EFBAC decreased with increasing activation temperature and time. The finding illustrated the applicability of EFBAC as a promising solution for pollution from landfill leachate due to its economic feasibility for real application.