High pressure methane adsorption on microporous carbon monoliths prepared by olives stones

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to prepare various active carbons from the same precursor at various activation temperatures, and investigate both porosity development and corresponding methane storage capacities. A series of activated carbon pellets without binder have been prepared by chemical activation of olive stones with H3PO4. The activation temperature varied from 350 to 1000°C. All carbons have been characterized by adsorption of N2 (−196°C) and SEM. The carbon materials exhibited predominant microporosity, and specific surface area increased from 532 to 1014m2g−1. Methane storage isotherm at 30°C and up to 25bar was measured for the investigated materials. The methane uptake correlated to the micropore volume and specific surface area, provided by the adsorption of N2 at −196°C.