Production of Activated Carbon from Corncobs and its Utilization in CrudeOil Spillage Clean Up

Lignocellulosic materials from agricultural by-products were used to develop high surface area activated carbons by chemical activation using KOH pellets. Surface and textural characterizations of the activated carbon were respectively investigated using micrometrics and BET technique at low temperature (77K) of nitrogen. It was observed that the optimum activation temperature for the production of activated carbon from corncobs was 7000C and the temperature had no appreciable effect on both the apparent and solid densities of the activated carbons. Minor crude oil spillage was simulated and the adsorptive capacity of the adsorbent on crude oil removal was investigated at ambient conditions. Purity indices of the adsorbate were investigated before and after the adsorption experiment. Maximum adsorption of 17.2 % was observed with the corncobs activated with KOH at 7000C against 24.6% for the commercial adsorbent.