Optimization of parameters for the preparation of high yielded activated carbon from banana trunk

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to optimize the operating conditions for the production of activated carbons from banana trunk. The dried banana trunk which contained 6.43% moisture, 8.8% ash content, 25% volatile matters, and around 59.77% fixed carbon was found suitable for the production of activated carbon. The chemical activation method was adopted in this experiment. The dried banana powderimpregnated with different concentrations of phosphoric acid was optimized for high yielding activated carbons using rotatable central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM). Three operating parameters, such as activation time (35.5, 50.0, 85.0, 120.0, and 134.5 min), activation temperature (367, 450, 650, 850, and 932 °C), and H3PO4concentration (0.36, 1.50, 4.25, 7.00, and 8.14 mol/L) played a significant role in the production of activated carbons. The results showed that the maximum yield of banana trunk activated carbon was achieved at the activation time of 60 minutes, activation temperature of 480 C, and H3PO4concentration of 3.94 mol/L. At optimum conditions of operating factors, the percent yield predicted through statistical model was 47%, whilst on experimental verification it was found 46.05%.