Preparation of Activated Carbons with the Minimum Possible Amount of Inorganic Ash from Rice Hulls and Rice Straw.

Document Type : Research Studies

Author

Mathematics and Physics Engineering Department., Faculty of Engineering., El-Mansoura University., Mansoura., Egypt.

Abstract

The carbonization of dirt-free rice hulls and rice straw results in the production of ash which is mainly carbon and silica. The alkali treatment of this ash at 100°C removed some of the silica present. The amount of silica removed was dependent upon the carbonization temperature, the amount of caustic soda added and the duration of the alkali treatment process, while the amount of carbon present was greatly affected by the carbonization time and temperature and air availability during carbonization, Activation was done through addition and thorough mixing with either zinc chloride of glycerol followed by heating at 500 °C for one hour. The higher activity of some of the prepared carbons determined through the decolorizing power technique and compared with commercial activated carbon, suggests the possibility of manufacturing large quantities of activated carbon from rice straw and rice hulls which are available locally in huge amounts with very limited uses. 
 
 

Main Subjects