Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon from agricultural wastes

Solid waste disposal has become a major problem in India. Either it has to be disposed safely or used for the recovery of valuable materials. As agricultural wastes like myrobalan, rubber seed coat, cashewnut sheath, palm seed coat, palm tree flower and pongam seed coat comprise of cellulose and lignin, they may act as good adsorbents. Therefore these wastes have been exploited for the preparation of activated carbon employing various techniques. Their characterisation studies such as bulk density, moisture content, ash content, fixed carbon content, matter soluble in water, matter soluble in acid, pH, decolourising power, phenol number, ion exchange capacity, iron content and surface area have been carried out to assess the suitability of these carbons as adsorbents in the treatment of water and wastewater. The results obtained show them to be good adsorbents for both organics and inorganics. The present study reveals the recovery of valuable adsorbents from readily and cheaply available agricultural wastes.