Activation of olive-seed waste residue using CO 2 in a fluidized-bed reactor

Abstract

Physical activation of olive-seed waste residue was carried out under N 2/CO 2 atmosphere in a fluidized-bed reactor system. The effects of activation temperature, activation time and particle size on both yield and quality of the prepared products were studied. The quality was measured in terms of iodine number and adsorptive capacity towards methylene blue dye. In general, it was found that higher activation temperature, longer activation time and smaller particle size produced a higher quality activated carbon. The products were compared to a commercial grade activated carbon prepared by steam activation process. Samples of 0.71–0.85 mm particle size activated at 900°C and activation time greater than 60 min were superior to the commercial carbon. Similar results were obtained for similar samples activated at 800°C and activation times greater than 60 min. A kinetic model was applied to the data. A first order reaction kinetics was found to fit the experimental data well. The value of the rate constant for activation was found to be 0.65 s −1.