Hello researchers,
I have prepared activated carbon from sewage sludge. First, I did chemical activation by strong base then, I did pyrolysis in the tabular furnace with nitrogen gas.
Are the previous steps sufficient to produce activated carbon? If not what I can do to furthur improve the results.
My advisor suggested to put the activated carbon in the furnace at same temperature with CO2 gas.
Do you think that's good suggestion?
I have attached the activated carbon picture which I prepared.
Dear Muna Said ,
as mentioned by Paul Milham we need to know the pyrolysis temperature and holding time.
Looking at the photo provided the material does not appear to be fully carbonised suggesting that the temperature and/or time were too low. Have you characterised your original and charred material in terms of elemental composition (CHNS/O). From there we can determine the molar O/C and H/C ratios. If the ratios have not changed much (e.g. H/C < 0.7, O/C < 0.4) then the charring was not complete.
I would also recommend to try to find the optimum impregnation ratio for sewage sludge : chemical activation agent before you proceed with carbonisation. I also recommend to wash the char prior to carbonisation to remove excess activation agent.
CO2 has been reported as activation agent so it could be worth a try: Article Effect of preparation conditions of oil palm fronds activate...
Kind regards, Rob.
Have a look the enclosed paper. which describe active carbon production from olive pomace. I think you can follow similar type of procedures.
Sewage sludge slow pyrolysis at 400 C for 2h in a furnace tube under an atmosphere of N2 or without