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Microwave Pyrolysis Production of Activated Carbon for Use in Herbicide
Removal
Thoo Ding Shan
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lam Su Shiung
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Palm kernel shell (PKS), an abundantly available oil palm waste in Malaysia, was
transformed into activated carbon (AC) by microwave pyrolysis for use in herbicide
removal. The PKS was first carbonized into biochar which was then upgraded into
activated carbon via physical activation by steam. The highest yield of AC was 35%
and an optimum adsorption efficiency of herbicide (1.5 mg of herbicide per gram of
activated carbon) was obtained by performing carbonization at 700 W of microwave
power combined with 30 mins of steam activation time. The AC produced was detected
with high carbon content (78 wt%), high BET surface (418.9 m 2 /g) and high pore
volume (0.188 cm 3 /g), thus indicating that many adsorption sites were available for
the herbicide to be adsorbed onto. Overall, the results demonstrate that the AC
derived from the microwave pyrolysis of PKS can be used as a promising herbicide
adsorbent.
99 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019