Characterization of activated carbons using two different raw materials and investigation of adsorption properties

In this thesis, producing high surface area activated carbons by chemical activation using chickpea straw and hazelnut husk, characterization of these activated carbons and removal of copper from aqueous solutions were investigated. Raw materials impregnated with two types of chemicals ( K2CO3 and KOH) and four different impregnation ratios ( %25, %50, %75 ve %100 ), carbonization was performed in a fixed bed reactor with 10oC/min heating rate, 100 cm3/min N2 flow rate and at 850oC activation temperature. As a result of surface areas measurement by using the BET equations, high surface area activated carbon whose impregnation ratio is %50 with KOH was found 2082,29 m2/g. Activated carbons were evaluated for adsorption of lead from aqueous solutions. Factors that affecting the adsorption were studied such as pH, initial concentration, temperature, adsorbent dosage and contact time, results of the experiments showed that the adsorption isotherms obey Freundlich adsorption isotherms, the adsorption kinetics obey pseudo-second order kinetic model and thermodynamics studies showed that adsorption process is spontaneous.As a result, under proper conditions it is determined that activated carbons obtained from chickpea straw can be used for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions.