OPTIMIZATION IN PREPARATION OF SPENT MUSHROOM FARMING WASTE ACTIVATED CARBON BY KOH ACTIVATION

Abstract

This study investigates the utilization of Spent Mushroom Farming Waste (SMFW) as a potential precursor for activated carbon (AC) preparation. The AC preparation was conducted using chemical activation method with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as activating agent. The SMFW was impregnated with KOH, dried and carbonized in furnace. The AC was washed using hydrochloric acid (HCl) and distilled water, dried and sieved. The investigated optimization parameters were 0.25 to 1.25 impregnation ratio, 30 to 90 minutes activation time and 400 to 700 oC activation temperature. The prepared AC was measured by quantitative and qualitative analysis. The quantitative analysis referred to carbon percentage yield which represents the quantity of the AC produced. Meanwhile, qualitative analysis was measured by iodine number that reveals the adsorption capacity, high porosity and surface area of AC. The optimum conditions were observed at impregnation ratio KOH: SMFW of 0.5, activation time of 45 min and activation temperature of 500 °C at percentage yield of 21 % and iodine number of 484 mg/g. The AC was characterized with FTIR and proximate analysis. This study provides economic importance due to energy consumption minimization and applicable for industrial application