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

Abstract

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°C for duration of 1 h followed by steam activation at 830°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°C for 30 min has resulted in a series of CMSs with different selectivities of CO₂/CH₄ and O₂/N₂. The kinetic adsorption isotherm of CO₂, CH₄, O₂ and N₂ at room temperature also presented in this work.