Physico-chemical properties of activated charcoal derived from a blend of agricultural waste material

Abstract

The wide differences in the densities, nature of the agricultural wastes or precursor materials and their carbon content means that activated charcoal (AC) yield, and physico-chemical properties could vary considerably among activated charcoals produced from different agricultural residues necessitating the evaluation of the physical and chemical properties of activated charcoals produced from different feedstocks. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of activated charcoal produced from a blend of pig dung, palm kernel shell, and palm fruit fibre for possible use as feed additives in poultry feed. The physical properties of the produced activated charcoal were activated charcoal yield, moisture content, pH, bulk density, water-holding capacity, specific gravity, oil adsorption capacity and surface area with values as 71.0%, 5.37%, 7.67, 0.72, 77.46%, 0.73, 118.47% and 587cm2/g respectively. The chemical properties comprised of carbon content (79.43%), calcium (6185.11mg/kg), phosphorus (18603.29mg/kg), sodium (1722.47mg/kg), potassium (10275.48mg/kg), magnesium (3980.14mg/kg), manganese (721.00mg/kg), iron (996.35mg/kg), zinc (95.47mg/kg), copper (33.69mg/kg),arsenic (13.38mg/kg) and nitrogen (3008.04mg/kg). The values of the physical parameters obtained in this study were adjudged to be suitable for adsorption purposes in poultry and water treatment operations.