Application of Response Surface Methodology for Preparation of Activated Carbon from Melon Husk

Abstract

This study focuses on activated carbon preparation from melon husk via chemical activation using Box-Beckhen Design (BBD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Potassium chloride (KCl) was used as activating reagent and it played an important role in enhancing the activated carbon porosity. Three input parameters and one response were evaluated via the software-generated experimental design. the effects of three preparation parameters for activation of char produced from melon husk which include: activation temperature, activation time, and activation concentrations as well as one response iodine number were investigated. The optimum conditions for preparation of activated carbon from char obtained from melon husk were at an activation temperature of 500oC, activation time of 90 min, and 1.0M activation concentrations which resulted in 1251.4 mg/g of iodine number with the desirability of 0.82. The predicted results well corresponded with experimental results. This study is important in economical large activated carbon preparation for application of adsorption process for metal treatment in wastewater with minimum chemical and energy input.