OPTIMIZATION OF THE PREPARATION

OF ACTIVATED CARBON OBTAINED

FROM WATERMELON(Citrullus lanatus)
SEED HUSK

BY
YOHANNA ASHOM M.
UJ/2016/NS/0230

December,2021
 INTRODUCTION
Activated carbon (activated charcoal), is a form of
carbon processed to have small, low volume pore
that increases the surface area available for
adsorption or chemical reactions.
Mainly used as an adsorbent due to its high
surface area and pore volume as well as inert
properties.
Activated Carbon
Watermelon
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The high cost of the conventional activated carbon
(AC) and relatively low regeneration ability has led
to the birth of research devoted to the discovery of
cheaper and efficient alternate adsorbents. Watermelon Seed
 AIMS

To prepare activated carbon from a watermelon seed

Husk through thermal and chemical activation.
Characterization of pH, moisture content, ash
content, volatile matter and fixed carbon of the
activated carbon prepared from watermelon seed
shell (Husk)
SAMPLE COLLECTION
A specie of watermelon seed called “OCELOT” is
obtained from farin gada market, in Jos, Plateau
State.
A machine known as Pumpkin seeds shelling line was
used to husk the watermelon seed(Sample)
Determination of pH
We grinded the samples using mortar and
pestle to a medium size particle of about
120µm (mill microns ).
 MATERIAL
Apparatus  Reagents
weighing balance (mettle P1200); Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Mortar and pestle Distilled water.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
Beakers (100 and 250cm3)
Vaster chesterfield muffle furnace
(model L F 3) used for the
carbonization of the sample;
Vaster chesterfield muffle furnace
(model L F 3) used for the
carbonization of the sample;
HANNA instruments pH meter (pH
209 model, Portugal);
Measuring cylinder (50 and 100cm3).
Prepared Activated Carbon
Laboratory Stop watch.
 Chemical activation
We carried out the chemical activation of
watermelon seed husk using H3PO4. The
impregnation ratio we used varied between 1:3 for
sample “A & B” and 1:2 for sample “C & D”.
• Sample A= 100g sample + 171ml 40% H3PO4.
• Sample B =100g sample + 171ml 50% H3PO4
• Sample C= 100g sample + 114ml 40% H3PO4
• Sample D = 100g sample + 114ml 50% H3PO4
The produced carbonization material was
washed sequentially several times with
hot distilled water until the pH of the
washing solution reached a value of 7.
They were then dried at 110oC for
approximately 24hours, and weighed to
calculate the activated carbon yield.

We stirred the samples at approximately 25oC for 6 h

to ensure an absolute reaction between H3PO4 and
husk particles.
After the treatment the mixtures were then filtered
and the remaining solids were dried at 105oC for
about 24h. Chemical impregnated watermelon seed
shell was placed in a laboratory furnace and
carbonized at the desired final carbonization
temperatures (300, 400, 500 and 600oC).
Vaster chesterfield muffle furnace
Grinding in progress
 Results
Proximate and Ultimate analysis for the watermelon seed shell Husk:
Chart.1 Chart.2
Proximate analysis ULTIMATE ANALYSIS
52.85%
7430.00%

38.47%

5.95%
1.95% 0.30%
4.37% 0.65%
19.35%

Moisture Ash Fixed carbon Volatile matter Carbon(C) Hydrogen (H) Nitrogen (N) Sulphur (S) Oxygen (O)
 Results cont..
FTIR Spectrum of Sample A (Thermal & Chemical Activation at 300OC)
Chemical Activation Thermal Activation

FTIR Spectrum of Sample B (Thermal & Chemical Activation at 400 OC)

Chemical Activation Thermal Activation
 Results cont..
FTIR Spectrum of Sample C (Thermal & Chemical Activation at 500 OC)
Chemical Activation Thermal Activation

Chemical Activation FTIR Spectrum of Sample D (Thermal & Chemical Activation at 600 OC) Thermal
Activation
 Results cont..
SEM results of sample “B” (Chemical) activated at 400oC SEM results of sample “B” (Thermal) activated at 400 oC

Plate 1: 1000× Plate 2: 1500× Plate 5: 100× Plate 6: 1500×

SEM results of “RAW” sample

The surface of the filter materials determines using
SEM are as shown in plate 1,2,3,4,5 & 6. It can be
observed from plate 1 &2, 3& 4, 5 &6,that more
pores were developed in all the filter materials at
the magnification of 1000× and 1500× times and the
absorbent size is smaller. The three activated carbon
possess smaller smaller pores and approximately the
same size.
Plate 3: 1000× Plate 4: 1500×
 Results cont..
XRF Result for Sample “C” activated at 500 oc XRF Result for Sample “C” activated at 500 oc
Chart.3 (Chemical) Chart.4 (Thermal)
49.47%
21.78%
42.32% 19.41% 18.53%

17.08%
10.36%
13.90%
13.06%
6.30%
10.51%
4.71% 9.49%
5.23% 3.25% 7.05%
3.67%
0.85% 1.99% 2.41% 2.05%
0.63% 1.14% 1.08%
0.51% 0.32%
0.32%
0.24%
0.22%
0.22%
0.09%
0.06%
0.06% 0.39%
0.22%
0.21%
0.16%
0.39%
0.35% l l
O2 O5 aO gO O3 O3 O2 C nO ZnO CuO eO2 PbO b2O SrO rO2 K2O iO2 gO 2O5 SO3 CaO 2O3 iO2 C 2O3 eO2 PbO ZnO nO CuO
Si P2 C M e2 Al2 Ti M C Z S M P l T M
F R A Fe C
K2O F2O5 SO2 CL SO3 Fe2O3 Al2O3 TiO2

Chart.5 XRF Result for raw sample

18.53%
17.08%
Chart Title
The result we obtained from XRF analysis of sample “C” 13.90%
activated at 500oC (Thermal & Chemical) are shown in 13.06%
9.49%

chart 3 & 4. The chart reveals that both the thermal and 10.51%
7.05%

chemical activated carbon contains; K2O, Fe2O3, Cl, SO3, 3.67%

2.05%
and other oxides. The results reveals that 2.41%
1.08%

0.39% 0.22%
 CONCLUSION

From the FTIR spectrum, the rate of Note:

adsorption between 2962-2853 is a
 XRF= Means; X-ray Fluorescence.
chromophore known as “C-H Stretch”, also
known to be a simple alkane.  SEM= Means; Scanning Electron Microscope
An increase in the peak intensity means an  FTIR=Means; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
increase in the amount of function group
associated with the molecular bond.
The shift in peak as notice the hybridization
state in the molecule bond has changed.
 All the filter material samples we selected
as used in this research work possess
larger K2O, SO2, and Carbon are regarded
as natural materials used for water
filtration. Hence the selected materials
(activated carbon) are good adsorbents in
water or waste water treatment.
 THANK
YOU
FOR
LISTENING