Investigation of the porous structure of activated carbons prepared by pyrolysis of agricultural by-products in a stream of water vapor

Abstract

The processes of formation of the porous structure and the changes taking place on the surface of carbon adsorbents during their preparation by water-vapor pyrolysis from various agricultural by-products are investigated. Some of the sorption parameters of the adsorbents, such as specific surface area, assessed by argon thermal desorption, heat of wetting by hexane, and thermal effects of argon adsorption at 25°C are determined. The experimental data prove that the adsorbent without proper properties depends on the nature of the raw material, the final temperature of the process, and the duration of treatment at the final temperature. A similarity is found between the dynamics of pore-formation and development of new surfaces of the activated carbons prepared from coconuts and nuts, as well as those from almonds and apricots.