Agricultural By-products: Optimizing Production of Activated Carbon using the Taguchi Method

Abstract

This study optimizes the production of activated carbon (AC) from two distinct agricultural wastes, barley husk and maize cob. The process is refined using the Taguchi method with the goal of enhancing water treatment techniques. The study emphasizes how crucial it is to make the transition towards renewable and affordable raw materials for the manufacturing of AC given the predicted expansion of the worldwide demand for AC. The study assessed the impact of four crucial variables on the production and quality of AC using a L9 orthogonal array: phosphoric acid concentration, heating by microwave time, power from the microwave, and nitrogen flow rate. Findings indicated that the most important element for maximizing the production of AC from these agricultural leftovers was microwave power, along with the percentage of phosphoric acid and the time frame of the heating process.