Abstract
Saudi Arabia is the major date producer in the world. In order to get the maximum production from date tree there is a need to prune the trees on annual basis and is considered as a serious environmental threat. The single step procedure for the synthesis of porous activated carbon (AC) from Saudi date tree fronds using mixture of gases (N-2 and CO2) was carried out at different carbonization/activation temperatures staring from 700 to 1000 degrees C at a ramp rate of 10 degrees C/min. Alloy 330 horizontal reactor was used in tube furnace. Flow rate of N-2 and CO2 gases were kept at 150 and 50 ml/min, respectively. Results revealed that at 850 degrees C larger surface area was achieved and can offer higher potential to produce activated carbon of greater adsorption capacity from date fronds waste. The BET surface area of the activated carbon prepared at 850 degrees C after 30 min activation time is 1094 m(2)/g.