Influence of Chemical Treatment on the Spectral and Thermal Behavior of Activated Carbon Obtained from Olive Oil Solid Waste

Abstract

Solid waste remained after the extraction of oil from olive oil fruits (OOSW), was used to obtain active carbon depending on chemical activation using H3PO4, KOH and ZnCl2 as activating agents. The changes in composition due to chemical treatment and pyrolysis were investigated by chemical analysis, spectral (IR), and thermal analysis (DTA). Thermodynamic parameters of formation (activation energy (ΔEa*), enthalpy change (ΔH*), entropy change (ΔS*) and free energy change (ΔG*) related to the thermal decomposition process were calculated. Adsorption of both iodine and methylene blue at very low concentrations were done, the quantity of the iodine adsorbed (iodine number) indicated the micropores content of carbon by the uptake of iodine from the solution. It is equivalent to surface area of carbon between 900m2/g and 1100 m2/g. To characterize activated carbons as well as determining the adsorption capacity adsorption of methylene blue was done.