Preparation and characterization of powdered and granular activated carbon from Palmae biomass for mercury removal

Two forms of activated carbon (i.e., granular and powdered forms) used to test mercury removal in solution. These activated carbons were obtained from the shells of a palmae biomass and used in mercury ion removal in aquatic systems. The African palmae shell taken out from a broadly and simply full-fledged palm tree. This biomass serves as a precursor in the formulation of activated carbons not documented. The powdered and granular fractions of activated carbons described for chemical composition, isoelectric point, and surface area. The mechanism of reactions and the kinetics involved were studied using the results of protonation and rate limitations. The parameters used in the batch mode study included pH, contact time, initial concentration of the adsorbate and the dose of the activated carbons. A comparison of performances, contact time demonstrated the highest adsorption efficiency of 93% for the powdered activated carbon and 92% for the granular activated carbon. The dosage recorded the lowest adsorption efficiency of 84% using granular activated carbon. Comparatively, this study brought to the fore that activated carbon derived from the Plamae biomass remains a novel bio-sorbent