Use of biogenic solids for activated carbon via pyrolysis: The case of corn cob

Abstract

Any cheap material, such as agricultural byproducts, with a high carbon content and low inorganics, can be used as a raw material for the production of activated carbon. The scope of the current study was the production of active carbon from biogenic solids, and their evaluation as potential absorbents in gas and liquid waste-treatment. In the current study the biogenic solid used for the carbon material production was corn cob. Corn is a significant crop all around the world. Experiments of pyrolysis and activation were performed. Pyrolysis and activation were conducted in a fixed bed reactor in one step process; pyrolysis at 800°C for lh and physical activation with steam at 800°C for 10, 15 and 20 min. The carbon products were characterised and there BET surface areas were of 440, 620,420, m2/g respectively. Their total pore volume and micro-pore volume were 0,188, 0,32, 0,24 cm 3/gC, and 0,1038, 0,2635, 0,1627 cm3/g, respectively. The higher SBET, total pore volume and micro-pore volume were 620 m2/g, 0,32 cm3/gC and 0,2635 cm3/g, resulted under 15 min activation with steam. The results from the elemental analysis of corn cob and the pyrolytic char showed that corn cob pyrolytic char is a good starting material for the production of active carbon.