CHARCOAL PRODUCTION FROM THE MACADAMIA SHELLS USING A

HORIZONTAL TUBE FUNANCE.

The purpose of the present investigation is to produce a charcaol suitable for the
production of an activated carbon. In order to acheive this, the process has to be
done in two steps which are the production of charcoal under airless conditions to
avoide any oxidation and its activation using different acid and base.

1 Production of charcoal under airless conditions

1.1 Matherial
a. Macadamia chells (Raw material)
1.2 Equipment
a. Mortar and pestle
b. Horizontal tube furnance
c. Argon gas bomb equipted with the flow rate control
d. Crucibles
e. Timer

1.3 Procedure
a. The sample was cruched at roughly 4mm and weight in 15 different
crucibles
b. Connect the argone gaz to the tube furnance acording to the following set
up
c. The 15 crucibles containing the sample were loaded inside of the furnace at
the same time as presented in the following fugure.

d. Close the cover of the furnace

e. Blow argon gas with high flow rate to remove all air for 5 minutes then
reduce it at a normal woking condition.
 f. Switch on the furnace and set it at the 300 OC as a starting temparature

g. Monitor the flow of the argone gas in order to avoid its escape at a rist to
creat hazard

h. Wait for the temperature to reach 300 degres celcius

i. Wait 5 minutes then open the furnace and remove the first sample

j. Close the cover of the furnace, wait 10 minutes more and remove the
second sample and repeat (i) and (j) for the third sample after 15 minutes.

k. Increase the temperature up until it reach 450 degrees celcius and repeat
the operation on (i) and (j).

l. Do the same for 600, 750 and 900 degrees celcius.

m. All the samples were collected and put in the desiccator to avoid to absorb
moisture from atmosphere.
1.4 Experinent condition

Time Temperature (OC)

5min

300
450
600
750
900
15 min

300
450
600
750
900
30 min

300
450
600
750
900

The table bellow shows the time spent by different sample in the furnance.

Time (min)
O
300 C 5 (Sample 1) 15 (Sample 2) 30 (Sample 3)
450 OC 35 (Sample 4) 45 (Sample 5) 60 (Sample 6)
600 OC 65 (Sample 7) 75 (Sample 8) 90 (Sample 9)
750 OC 95 (Sample 10) 105 (Sample 11) 120 (Sample 12)
900 OC 125 (Sample 13) 135 (Sample 14) 150 (Sample 15)