Kenaf core as CO2 adsorbent

Abstract

Kenaf is a green engineering material that has a great potential to be used as CO2 adsorbent. To enhance the capability of kenaf core as CO2 adsorbent, it should be cleaned and modified via various kinds of treatments. Prior to treatment process, the sample should be cleaned to remove all the adherent extraneous matters. In this study, kenaf core sample has been cleaned by using different types of cleaning methods such as using distilled water at room and boiling water, NaOH solution and HCl solution. This study revealed that the cleaning by using distilled water at room temperature is the most efficient way as compared to other methods. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) carried out showed that the surface of kenaf core after cleaned by using distilled water at room temperature indicates an open cylindrical channel with similar size of honeycomb shape gaps that is beneficial to provide an active site for CO2 to be trapped or adsorbed. CO2 adsorption study conducted in Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) column showed that kenaf core sample after cleaning by using distilled water at room temperature could adsorb CO2 up to 84.45% and relatively higher than the other methods. This study also revealed that 5 min is sufficient for adsorption to take place. Further increase in the adsorption time does not indicate any significant change to the percentage of CO2 adsorption. The future works may involve a treatment and modification of kenaf core to enhance the CO2 adsorption process.