The Characteristics of Oil Palm Shell Biochar and Activated Carbon Produced via Microwave Heating

Abstract

Biochar was produced from oil palm shell via microwave-induced pyrolysis. The biochar was subsequently activated via microwave assisted CO2 activation. A simple single layer arrangement of the microwave absorber (coconut shell based activated carbon) and oil palm shell in the reactor was adopted during pyrolysis. In recent times, the treatment of oil palm biomass using microwave heating technology has been on the increase. Value added products such as bio-oil, gas, biochar and activated carbon are being produced while at the same time serving as waste management control. Biochar is seen as a promising climate mitigation tool. Activated carbons can be used as absorbent for the removal of pollutants from wastewaters, as air pollution control and as electrode for supercapacitor. This paper presents comparative study between the characteristics of oil palm shell biochar and oil palm shell activated carbon. BET surface area and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were analyzed to establish the characteristics of the biochar and activated carbon.