PRODUCTION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM COCONUT SHELL CHAR IN A FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR

Activated carbon is produced from coconut shell char using steam or ca rbon dioxide as the reacting gas in a 100 mm diameter fluidized bed re actor. The effect of process parameters such as reaction time, fluidiz ing velocity, particle size, static bed height, temperature of activat ion, fluidizing medium, and solid raw material on activation is studie d. The product is characterized by determination of iodine number and BET surface area. The product obtained in the fluidized bed reactor is much superior in quality to the activated carbons produced by convent ional processes. Based on the experimental observations, the optimum v alues of process parameters are identified.