Synthesis of carbon molecular sieves from palm shell by carbon vapor deposition

A series of experiments were conducted to produce carbon molecular sieves (CMS) through carbon deposition from a locally available palm shell of Tenera type for separating gaseous mixtures. The process involves three stages; carbonization, physical activation with steam, and carbon deposition by using benzene cracking technique. Carbonization of the dried palm shells was occurred at 900 degrees C for duration of 1 h followed by steam activation at 830 degrees C for 30-420 min to obtain activated carbons with different degree of burn-offs. The highest micropore volume of activated carbon obtained at 53.2% burn-off was used as a precursor for CMS production. Subsequent carbon deposition of the activated sample at temperature range from 600 to 900 degrees C for 30 min has resulted in a series of CMSs with different selectivities of CO2/CH4 and O-2/N-2. The kinetic adsorption isotherm of CO2, CH4, O-2 and N-2 at room temperature also presented in this work.