Preliminary evaluation of Moringa oleifera seed shells as precursor for activated carbon.

The proximate and ultimate characteristics of Moringa Oleifera (MO) seed shells were used to evaluate the suitability of the material as a precursor for activated carbon production. The results showed remarkable influence of particle size on proximate characteristics of the MO seed shell. The variation in weight loss, rates of dehydration and de-volatilization of the material with varying particle size was used to assess the particle size that could be best suited for carbonization. The particle sizes of 400 - 1400 μm have been suggested in this study to be the most suitable for producing good quality activated carbon with good yield; 1400 μm being the recommended optimum particle size of this cellulosic material for carbonization.