| Author | Gratuito, Maria Kathrina B. |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-07-04 |
| Subject(s) | Carbon, Activated
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy, School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The optimization of the production of activated carbon using response surface methodology (RSM) was performed. Three important variables namely; impregnation ratio (I Ratio) at levels 1, 1.5, and 2; activation time (A Time) at levels 10,20, and 30 minutes; and activation temperature (A Temp) at levels 400°C, 450°C, and 500°C were studied. Their effects on responses yield on dry basis, bulk density, average pore diameter, small pore diameter, and number of pores were considered for the optimization. A Box-Behnken experimental design for three-level three-parameters was used resulting to 15 combinations of the variable parameters. The analyses of the responses were performed at the Energy Laboratory of AIT and at the National Metals and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of the Thailand Science Park. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the direct measurement of the pore diameters. All variable parameters were found to have generally significant effects on the responses evaluated. Individual second-order response surface models were developed and three-dimensional as well as contour plots were generated to help in the optimization analysis. Optimum ranges as well as the optimum points were then identified. The optimum range identified for impregnation ratio was found to start from 1.345 to 2, while for the activation time it was from 14.9 to 23.9 minutes. The optimum range for activation temperature was from 394 to 416°C. The optimum points are 1.725, 19.5 minutes, and 416°C for impregnation ratio, activation time, and activation temperature, respectively. The models were able to predict well the values of the responses when the optimum variable parameters were run again. This is proven by the generally acceptable values of the residual percentages. The smallest residual percentage was in the small pore diameter measurement which valued at just 1.23%, while the highest was for the average diameter pore reading which is at 21.32%. The rest were below the 10% mark. An indirect characterization of the optimum activated carbon using the AUTOSORB 1 gas sorption analyzer resulted to a Langmuir surface area of about 453 m²/gram. Direct characterization of the pores using the SEM is a good technique to actually see the pores and get actual measurements which can then be used to analyze and optimize the production process. Response surface methodology has also proven to be a good tool in optimization analysis which can give not only optimum production condition points but ranges as well, which is good for production flexibility |
| Year | 2007 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dutta, Animesh
|
| Examination Committee(s) | Kumar, S. ; Thammarat Panyathanmapom
|
| Scholarship Donor(s) | France AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |