Production of activated Carbon from Longan wood chips using Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2) and Wood vinegar activators

Abstract

             This research studied the production process activated carbon from longan wood chips using  method of chemical  activation  with heat.  Using zinc  chloride (ZnCl₂) and  wood  vinegar  activators.  The condition ratio of charcoal  to  activator  by  weight  of  1:1  and  1:2  by  using  the  activation temperature of  800 and  900°C.  The time  for  stimulation was 120 and 180 min.  The study revealed zinc chloride activator condition was 1:1  ratio of  charcoal:  ZnCl₂  800°C  for 120 min.  The bulk  density of  activated  carbon was 0.27 g/cm³  and the iodine  number  adsorption  612 mg/g  followed  by the  wood  vinegar  activator  condition  was  1:1  ratio  of  charcoal :  wood vinegar 800°C for 120 min.  The  bulk  density of activated carbon was  0.28 g/cm³ and the iodine number adsorption 485 mg/g. The study revealed that using ZnCl₂ as activating agent resulted in more Iodine number than using wood  vinegar.  Longan  wood  chips  can be  used as raw  materials for the production  of activated  carbon  because  bulk  density is  higher  than  0.2 g/cm³ and iodine number adsorption  higher than 600 mg/g the level set by Thai Industrial Standards Institute, TISI.900-2004.