Optimization of Activated Carbon Preparation from Pomegranate Peel (Punica granatum Peel) Using RSM

Abstract

This research involves the optimization of different variables of the operating conditions to prepare activated carbon from pomegranate peels (Punica granatum peel). For this purpose, a statistical method called Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has been adopted to economize the number of experiments and their meaningful interpretation. Activated carbon was produced by chemical activation (H3PO4). RSM was used to evaluate the variables considered in the preparation of activated carbon such as impregnation ratio (2–4 g H3PO4/g pomegranate peel), temperature (400–600°C), and activation time (30–90 min), experimented using a three-variable Box–Behnken Design (BBD) based on a quadratic model and an RSM tool provided by Design Expert 8.0.4 (STAT-EASE Inc., Minneapolis, USA). The responses analyzed for optimization were the methylene blue number and the iodine number. The factors that are significant influencing the activated carbon preparation have been identified by an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum conditions established were impregnation ratio of 2.78, activation temperature of 575°C, and activation time of 73 min.