Abstract
Carbonaceous materials can effectively and efficiently be converted into furfural and active carbon. For the present research work pericarp of peanut was hydrolyzed with 16% HCI and H2S04 to produce furfural keeping solid-liquid ratio at 1:5, 1:8 and 1:10 for 100 and 140 minutes in the presence of salt catalysts (CaCI2, ZnCI2, AICI3 and NaCI). The residue left after the extraction of furfural was activated at 700°C to produce active carbon. Maximum yield of furfural and active carbon was 12% and 37%, respectively. For the evaluation of adsorption efficiency of prepared active carbon, iodine and methylene blue indeces were used. Maximum value of adsorption efficiency with methylene blue and iodine was 48mg/g and 265mg/g of active carbon respectively. Key words: Furfural, active carbon, pericarp of peanut, adsorption capacity, hydrolyzing agents, Pakistan
