Utilization of Rubber Seed Shells and Epicarp Wastes as Activated Biochar

Abstract

This research was investigated to find out activated biochar formulation and characteristic of rubber seed shell and epicarp that can be used as an amelioration of organic material in soil contaminated horticultural pesticide residues. Tests were carried out to study the effects of two processing parameters, namely, activation in HCl solution (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) and activation temperature (600, 700, and 800 oC). The research had been performed using factorial completely randomized design. Parameters analyzed were ash content, moisture content, volatile matter content, fixed carbon, benzene and iodine number. Optimum conditions for producing activated biochar from rubber seed shell and epicarp wastes were at activation in HCl solution 15 % and activation temperature 800 oC that resulted in rubber seed shell and epicarp activated carbon with the best characteristic, i.e moisture content of 3.97%; ash content of 3.78%; volatile matter of 30.91%; fixed carbon of 65,27%; absorption of iodine 875.97 mg g-1 and absorption of benzene 25.94%.