Author(s)

FERNANDO MORANTE-CARBALLO, LUIS ZAMBRANO-CHILIQUINGA, CARLOS ROBALINO-JARA, JAIRO DUEÑAS-TOVAR

Abstract

Activated carbon is a highly porous material with favourable properties for adsorption, as a water and gas purifier, and in removing molecules. In the African oil palm industry, a considerable amount of vegetable waste, including palm kernels, is generated at the end of the production chain, which degrades surrounding environmental conditions. Therefore, reusing this waste is essential to contributing to circular economy approaches. This work aims to evaluate the quality parameters of activated carbon produced from palm kernels following Ecuadorian standards through chemical treatments in the laboratory for the valorisation and use of this resource. For this purpose, this work suggests three phases that include: (i) a review of relevant literature; (ii) chemical treatment through activation with H₃PO₄ (20% and 40%); and (iii) quality tests following Ecuadorian standards. The results showed that moisture content, total ash and density were within permissible ranges according to Ecuadorian quality standards. In addition, adsorption tests using methylene blue showed a final concentration of approximately 2.05 ppm and a maximum of approximately 15 ppm, considering an initial value of 100 ppm, with similar effectiveness to commercial versions. Finally, an economic analysis showed a production cost of 3.038 USD/kg and an estimated market price of 4.50 USD/kg, making it highly competitive in the Ecuadorian market. In conclusion, this work constitutes a proposal for the final use of agro-industrial waste to contribute to the circular economy of the African oil palm, obtaining a highly competitive product according to its capacity for adsorption of domestic and industrial pollutants, as well as its monetary value with possibilities for strategic marketing that projects on a small and medium scale.

Keywords

agroindustry, chemical activation, biomass, adsorption, carbonisation, oil palm