ABSTRACT

 Activated carbon was produced from palm kernel shell using acid activation method at a temperature of 65 0°c. The effects of the processing methods of acid impregnation time and acid concentration was monitored on some of the properties of the produced activated carbon. Acid concentration was varied at 100%, 50%, 75%, 25% and control (already prepared activated carbon) while impregnation time was varied at 24 hrs., 48 hrs. and 72 hrs. The produced activated carbon showed variations in their characteristics with the application of different treatments. The effects of acid concentration were decreased in ash content from 6.06% (25% acid) to 5.3 5% (100% acid) while the bulk density increased from 0.567g/cm (25% acid) to 0.722g/crn (100% acid). Moisture content decreased from 6.37% (25% acid) to 5.38% (100% acid) while its iodine number increased from 588.55 mg/g (25% acid) to 660.07mg/g (100% acid). Impregnation time also caused some variations in the tested characteristics of the produced activated carbon in that it increased with increasing time from 61.9% (24 hrs.) to 8.01% (72 hrs.). Moisture content was least (4.23%) in the 72 hrs. impregnated cai'bon and highest (7.24%) in the 24 hrs. impregnated carbon. Bulk density increased with impregnation time from 0.593% (24 hrs.) to 0.740g/cm (72 hrs.). Both the dry matter and iodine number of the carbons were affected by the impregnation time. Therefore, the evaluation analysis established the fact that treatments such as varied or changing acid concentration and acid impregnation time both affected the characteristic of the produced activated carbon. The result of this research can be used in local production of soap, removal of taste and unpleasant odors from domestic and industrial water supplies, treatment of poison, treatment of oral indigestion and it can also be used as a catalyst etc.