A Project Report on

PREPARATION OF ACTVATED CARBON FROM GREEN COCONUT

SHELL

Submitted By:

Name Reg. no.

SUKANTA HEMBRAM D222318873

ABANTIKA BERA D222318872

ARUP JANA D222318871

RAHUL MAITI D222318870

Under The Guidance Of

MR. MRIDUL DEY

Lecturer Of

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

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 DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the project work entitled " PREPARATION OF

ACTVATED CARBON FROM GREEN COCONUT SHELL" is an authentic
record of our own work carried out requirements of Capstone Project for the
award of Diploma Of Technology in CHEMICAL ENGINEERING from DR.
MEGHNAD SAHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY , HALDIA, under the guidance of
MR. MRIDUL DEY, during july 2024 to june 2025.

PROJECT GROUPMEMBER:

Name Reg. no.

SUKANTA HEMBRAM D222318873

ABANTIKA BERA D222318872

ARUP JANA D222318871

RAHUL MAITI D222318870

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 CERTIFICATE :

This is to certify that the declaration statement made by this group of students
is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. The Capstone Project
Proposal based on the technology/tool learnt is fit for the submission and
partial fulfilment of the conditions for the award of Diploma Of Technology in
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING from DR. MEGHNAD SAHA INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY, HALDIA.

Signature:……………………………………. Date:…………………………

MR. MRIDUL DEY

Supervisor

Signature:……………………………………. Date:…………………………

External Examinar

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the H.O.D Mr. " OM PRAKASH JHA" of
Chemical Engineering, "DR. MEGHNAD SAHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY", for his help and
support which was vital in the completion of this report. We are also thankful to all faculties
and support staff of Department of Chemical Engineering, "DR. MEGHNAD SAHA INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY” for their constant help and extending the departmental facilities for
carrying out our project work. We are also thankful to "MR. MRIDUL DEY" under whose
visionary enlightenment we were able to complete this project. We would like to extend our
sincere thanks to our friends and colleagues. Last but not the least, we wish to profoundly
acknowledge our parents for their constant support.

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 Abstract

The preparation of activated carbon from green coconut shells represents an eco-friendly
approach to utilizing agricultural waste. This study focuses on the conversion of green
coconut shells into activated carbon through chemical activation and carbonization
processes. The coconut shells were initially cleaned, dried, and crushed into smaller
particles. The resultant activated carbon was characterized for its physical and chemical
properties, including surface area, pore size distribution, and adsorption capacity.
The study revealed that green coconut shells are a promising precursor for producing
activated carbon due to their high carbon content and availability. The prepared activated
carbon exhibited excellent adsorption properties, making it suitable for various applications
such as water purification, air filtration, and industrial processes. This research highlights
the potential of agricultural waste valorization while contributing to sustainable waste
management practices.

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 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………….(7)
2. OBJECTIVE……………………………………………………………………….(8)
3. PROJECT PRE-REQUIREMENT……………………………………………(9-10)
4. LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………………..(11-13)
5. MATERIAL REQUREMENT…………………………………………………(14)
6. WORKFLOW ………………………………………………………………….…(15-16)
7. Water Absorption Capacity Test of Activated Charcoal………(17)
8. CONCLUSIONS…………………………………………………………………..(18)
9. REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………(19)

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 Introduction
Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a highly porous form of carbon that
exhibits excellent adsorption properties. It is widely used in a variety of applications,
including water purification, air filtration, medicine, food processing, and industrial chemical
recovery. Its effectiveness lies in its high surface area and porous structure, which allow it to
trap and remove impurities from gases and liquids.

Traditionally, activated charcoal is produced from carbon-rich materials such as coal, wood,
or peat. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of agricultural
waste materials as alternative raw materials for charcoal production. This shift is driven by
environmental concerns, sustainability goals, and the need to find low-cost and locally
available sources.

Among the various types of biomass waste, coconut shells have emerged as a particularly
promising material for activated charcoal production. Coconut shells are hard, dense, and rich
in carbon content, making them ideal for producing high-quality activated charcoal.
Furthermore, they are abundantly available in tropical and subtropical regions where coconut
farming is common. Unfortunately, in many areas, coconut shells are treated as waste and are
either burned or discarded, contributing to pollution and resource loss.

This project focuses on the preparation of activated charcoal from coconut shells through
a process involving carbonization followed by activation. Carbonization involves heating the
coconut shells in the absence of oxygen to remove volatile matter and produce charcoal. The
activation step enhances the porosity and surface area of the carbon, significantly improving
its adsorption capabilities.

By utilizing coconut shells—a biodegradable and renewable agricultural by-product—this

project aims to promote environmental sustainability, reduce waste, and develop a cost-
effective method of producing activated charcoal. Additionally, it supports the concept of a
circular economy, where waste is transformed into a useful resource, creating economic and
environmental value.

The project also serves as a practical example of how science and engineering can address
real-world challenges, such as waste management, water pollution, and resource
conservation. Through this investigation, students and researchers gain insight into material
processing, chemical activation techniques, and the principles of adsorption, while also
contributing to eco-friendly innovatio

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OBJECTIVE:

1. To prepare activated carbon from green coconut shells using eco-friendly

methods.

2. To optimize the carbonization and activation processes for enhanced porosity

and surface area.

3. To evaluate the adsorption properties and potential applications of the

prepared activated carbon.

4. To promote sustainable utilization of agricultural waste for value-added

products.

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PROJECT PRE REQUIRMENT :
WE DISCUSSED HERE SOME KNOWLEDGE ON DIFFERENT PROCESS AND CHARACTERISTIC OF
ACTIVATED COCONUT SHELL (CARBON).
CARBONIZATION:
Literal meaning of carbonization is 'formation of carbon'. In bioresource
engineering/bioresource technology, carbonization is a process in which a carbonaceous
materials like biomass is heated in the absence of air to leave solid porous carbon. Coke is
produced commercially by carbonization of coal, either at high or low temperatures. It is the
conversion of organic matters like plants and dead animal remains into carbon through
destructive distillation. It is a pyrolytic reaction, therefore, is considered a complex process
in which many reactions take place concurrently such as dehydrogenation, condensation,
hydrogen transfer and isomerization. During carbonization, the raw material (bioresource) is
thermally decomposed in an inert environment, at temperatures below 800º[Link]
gasification, elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulphur, are removed from
the source material and biochar is left behind as a solid product.
Activation :
The carbonized material, or char, must now be activated to fully develop the pore structure.
This is done through oxidizing the char at temperatures between 800-900 ºC in the 14
presence of air, carbon dioxide, or steam. Depending on the source material, the process of
producing activated carbon can be carried out using either thermal (physical/steam)
activation, or chemical activation. In either case, the charcoal or biochar obtained during
gasification, pyrolysis or hydrothermal gasification are subjected to further treatment for
improvement of surface area and activity of the biochar in order to obtain active biochar or
carbon. Although the general outlines of the various manufacturing processes are well
known, the exact details of the procedures employed by the manufacturers are jealously
guarded secrets. In general, the methods most commonly employed for the manufacture of
activated carbon are of two main types: the wet-chemical process (basically a single- stage
process), and the physical or thermal-gas process (essentially a two-stage process).As would
be expected, chemical methods use chemicals for activation, whereas thermal processes
use gases (usually carbon dioxide and air), vapours (steam), or mixtures of gases and
vapours. Any bioresource such as coconut shells, peach and apricot stones, wood, sawdust,
cellulose, walnut shells, almond shells, tree leaves, bark, bamboo, rice husks, corn cobs,
sugar, bones, etc. may be used as raw material.

COMPOSITION OF GREEN COCONUT SHELL

The composition of green coconut shell contained about 29.4% lignin, 27.7% pentosans, and
26.6% cellulose, 8% moisture, 4.2% solvent extractive,3.5% uronic anhydrides, 0.6% ash.

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# CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON:
The surface area and pore volume of activated carbon prepared under optimum conditions
were 995.799 m2/ g and 0.372 cm3/ g, respectively. Average pore radius was 9.011 Å. Its
pores are typically classified into micropores(1 nm), mesopores(1-25 nm), and
macropores(25 nm) based on the pore radius.
# The benefits of coconut based activated carbon:

[Link] Porosity and Surface Area

Coconut-based activated carbon has a high microporous structure, making it ideal
for applications requiring efficient adsorption, such as water and air purification.
[Link] and Sustainable Source
Green coconut shells are an abundant agricultural by-product, making them an eco-
friendly and sustainable raw material for activated carbon production.
[Link] Ash Content
Compared to other sources, coconut-based activated carbon has a lower ash
content, resulting in better performance and less contamination during use.

[Link] and Hardness

Coconut-derived activated carbon exhibits high mechanical strength and durability,
ensuring long service life in industrial and household applications.

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LITERATURE REVIEW:
1. This study focuses on the preparation of activated carbon from green
coconut shells using a chemical activation method. The physical properties of
the activated carbon, including bulk density, moisture content, volatile matter,
ash content, surface area, and porosity, were analyzed. The activated carbon
was used as an adsorbent for removing carbon dioxide from flue gas and
inorganic contaminants from waste water. The process involved cleaning and
drying the coconut shells, followed by heating in a furnace to remove moisture
and impurities. The shells were then crushed, sieved, and chemically activated
using ZnCl₂ under a controlled nitrogen flow. After the activation, the carbon
was washed with acid to remove residual impurities. The analysis showed that
the activated carbon had a high fixed carbon content and low ash content,
making it an effective adsorbent. The study demonstrates that green coconut
shells are a promising raw material for the production of high-quality activated
carbon, suitable for environmental applications such as gas and wastewater
treatment.
2. In this study, activated carbon was prepared from green coconut shells using
a chemical activation method. Various physical properties, including bulk
density, moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, surface area,
and porosity, were analyzed. The resulting activated carbon was utilized as an
adsorbent for removing carbon dioxide from flue gas and inorganic
contaminants from waste [Link] carbon can be produced through
physical or chemical activation. Physical activation involves pyrolyzing the
feedstock to produce char, followed by activation using steam or CO₂. In
chemical activation, the precursor material is impregnated or mixed with
chemical agents such as KOH, NaOH, H₃PO₄, or K₂CO₃, which aid in forming
cross-links and creating a rigid carbon matrix. Green coconut shells were
collected from a local market, cut into small pieces, and washed with tap water
to remove impurities. They were then dried under sunlight for 15–20 days. The
dried material was heated in a furnace at 150°C for 24 hours to eliminate
moisture and volatile impurities. The shells were subsequently crushed using a
local crusher and sieved to a size range of 300–700 micrometers. Chemical
activation was carried out using ZnCl₂ as the activating agent, maintaining a
specific impregnation ratio. The mixture was left to react for 24 hours under a
nitrogen flow rate of 120 cm³/min at standard temperature and pressure (STP).

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After cooling under constant nitrogen flow, the activated carbon was washed
2–3 times with 0.5 N HCl to remove residual impurities. Proximate and
ultimate analyses revealed that the activated carbon had a significantly higher
fixed carbon content compared to the raw precursor. The low ash content and
high volatile matter of the precursor made it an excellent material for activated
carbon preparation, yielding an adsorbent with superior properties for
adsorption applications.
3. In this study, activated carbon was produced from green coconut shells
using a chemical activation method. Activated carbon can be prepared through
either physical or chemical activation. Physical activation involves pyrolyzing
the feedstock to obtain char, which is then activated using steam or CO₂. In
contrast, chemical activation requires impregnating or mixing the raw material
with chemical agents, such as KOH, NaOH, H₃PO₄, or K₂CO₃. These agents
promote the formation of cross-links and the development of a rigid carbon
matrix. The green coconut shells were collected from a local market and dried
under sunlight for 15–20 days. The dried materials were heated in a furnace at
150°C for 24 hours to remove moisture and other volatile impurities. After
cooling, the shells were crushed, sieved to a size range of 300–700 µm, and
further processed by heating in an oven at 100°C for 24 hours. The material
was washed multiple times with 0.5 N HCl to remove residual organic and
mineral matter and then rinsed with warm and cold distilled water until the
solution became neutral. Finally, the sample was dried again at 100°C for 24
hours and stored in an airtight container. The waste coconut shells, being
carbonaceous and high in carbon content, demonstrated significant potential
as a precursor for activated carbon. The carbon content increased significantly
after carbonization and activation, making the material highly suitable as an
adsorbent for removing carbon dioxide from flue gas and various inorganic
contaminants from wastewater. This study highlights activated carbon's
effectiveness in treating pollutants and its potential for environmental
applications.
Summary: This study focuses on the preparation of activated carbon from
green coconut shells using a chemical activation method. The physical
properties of the activated carbon, including bulk density, moisture content,
volatile matter, ash content, surface area, and porosity, were analyzed. The
activated carbon was used as an adsorbent for removing carbon dioxide from
flue gas and inorganic contaminants from waste [Link] process involved

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cleaning and drying the coconut shells, followed by heating in a furnace to
remove moisture and impurities. The shells were then crushed, sieved, and
chemically activated using ZnCl₂ under a controlled nitrogen flow. After the
activation, the carbon was washed with acid to remove residual impurities. The
analysis showed that the activated carbon had a high fixed carbon content and
low ash content, making it an effective adsorbent. The study demonstrates
that green coconut shells are a promising raw material for the production of
high-quality activated carbon, suitable for environmental applications such as
gas and wastewater treatment.

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MATERIALS REQURED:

(A)Coconut shell :-
 Carbonization Process of Coconut shell:
1. The collected coconut endocarp shells (CES) were washed
by using distilled water to remove dirt and sun dried for
two days.
2. The Approximate weight of dried CES were broken into
small pieces by using a mortar and pestle.
3. heated in a muffle furnace up to 250°C to 300°C for three
hours in a silica crucible.
4. A fine soft ash was obtained and was named as coconut
endocarp shell ash

(B)Furnace:-
Furnaces are used for carbonization of organic materials,such
as coconut shells and rice husks, to produce biochar and
activated [Link] our muffle furnace is not in a working
condition,so we researched about it and madean alternative
furnace set up for carbonized the rice husk and coconut shell to
achieve its activated charcoal from.
(C) Conical flasks
(D) Filter paper
(E) Distilled water
(F) Glass funnel

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WORKING PROCESS: The preparation of activated carbon from green coconut shells
involves a straightforward process that can be easily performed in a laboratory setup. First,
green coconut shells are collected and thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt or impurities.
After cleaning, the shells are dried either under sunlight or in an oven to eliminate moisture
content. Once dried, the shells are subjected to a process called carbonization, where they
are heated in a closed container or furnace at a high temperature, typically between 400°C
and 700°C, in the absence of air. This step converts the coconut shells into charcoal, a
carbon-rich material.

After activation, the activated carbon is washed thoroughly with water to remove any
remaining chemicals or impurities. The material is then dried, either in an oven or under
sunlight, until it is completely free of moisture. The dried activated carbon is ground into
smaller particles and sieved to achieve the desired particle size. Finally, the prepared
activated carbon is stored in an airtight container to maintain its quality and prevent
contamination. This simple and efficient process yields activated carbon that can be used in
various applications such as water purification, air filtration, and adsorption of
contaminants.

 At first the coconut shell is collected from the natural sources, then added reagents
like KOH to remove the impurities then we used to carbonization in absence of

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oxygen at 300-600 c , then washing and drying the carbonized product . After that ,
activated the carbon by removing impurities from the pores of the carbon by
impregnation then washing and drying again and it is ready to use for various
applications

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 Water Absorption Capacity of Activated Charcoal

Objective:
To determine the water absorption capacity (WAC) of activated charcoal.

Apparatus and Materials: -

 Activated charcoal
 Distilled water
 Beaker
 Glass funnel
 Filter paper
 Weighing balance
Procedure:
1. Weigh about 2.00 g of dry activated charcoal (W1) using a digital balance
and record the exact mass.
2. Place the charcoal in a beaker with 50 mL of distilled water.
3. Let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature.
4. Filter the charcoal using filter paper and a funnel. Allow it to drain for 10-15
minutes without squeezing.
5. Weigh the wet charcoal (W2).
6. Calculate the Water Absorption Capacity (WAC) using the formula: WAC =
((W2 - W1) / W1) × 100
Calculation:
W1 (dry) = 2.00 g
W2 (wet) = 2.70 g
WAC = (2.70 - 2.00) / 2.00) × 100 = 35%

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 CONCLUSION

The preparation of activated charcoal from coconut shells was successfully carried out
through a systematic process involving carbonization followed by chemical or physical
activation. This project aimed not only to synthesize activated charcoal but also to explore the
feasibility of utilizing agricultural waste—specifically coconut shells—as a sustainable and
cost-effective raw material for charcoal production.

The carbonization process involved the thermal decomposition of coconut shells in the
absence of oxygen, which resulted in the removal of volatile compounds and the formation of
a carbon-rich residue. This char was then subjected to activation, either by chemical agents
such as phosphoric acid or potassium hydroxide, or through physical activation using high
temperatures and steam. The activation process enhanced the surface area and porosity of the
charcoal, making it suitable for adsorption applications.

Several key observations and outcomes were drawn from this project:

1. Resource Utilization: Coconut shells, often discarded as waste, proved to be an

excellent precursor for the production of activated charcoal. This highlights the
importance of converting biomass waste into valuable products, contributing to
sustainable development and waste management.
2. Efficiency and Quality: The activated charcoal produced exhibited properties such as
high porosity, increased surface area, and improved adsorption capacity. These
characteristics are essential for its use in applications such as water purification, air
filtration, decolorization, and even in medical and industrial fields.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: The use of coconut shells presents an economical alternative to
commercially available activated carbon, which is often produced from more
expensive raw materials. By utilizing a widely available waste product, production
costs can be reduced significantly.
4. Environmental Impact: This project reinforces the concept of environmental
stewardship by promoting the reuse of biomass waste and reducing reliance on
synthetic or mined raw materials. The process also demonstrates a lower
environmental footprint when compared to other industrial carbon production
methods.
5. Scalability and Industrial Potential: The methods used in this project can be scaled
up for industrial applications, given proper control of temperature, activation
conditions, and safety measures. This opens up opportunities for local and small-scale
industries to produce activated charcoal, especially in coconut-producing regions.

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  REFERENCES

 Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute Of Technology(IIT) Kharagpur, west
Bengal, india
 [2] Meikap BC
 Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Howrad college, University of
Kwazulu-Natal,Duban,South Africa
 [3] Arulkumar M, Sathishkumar P, Palvannan T (2011) Journal of Hazardous Materials 186:
827-834
 [4] Somasundaram SK, Sekar Gupta VK, Ganesan S (2013) Journal of Molecular Liquids 177:
416-425.
 [5] Un UT, Ates F, Erginel N, Ozcan O, Oduncu E (2015) Journal of Environmental
Management 155: 89-96.
 [6] Okman I, Karagöz S, Tay T, Erdem M (2014) Applied Surface Science 293: 138– 142.

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