Indoor Air Contaminant Adsorption By Palm Shell Activated Carbon Filter – A Proposed Study

Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, 86400 Johor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: mutalib@uthm.edu.my

Abstract

Indoor air contaminant is a public issue. High Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), Carbon monoxide (CO), Carbon dioxide (CO₂), and particulate matter is becoming main issue that needs to solve. Therefore, this study focus on improving indoor air quality by using activated carbon (AC) for Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (VAC). It investigated because AC is widely explored but developing AC as a filter for VAC is not developed yet. The AC prepared by physical and chemical activation process and combination both of process and it was activated by H₃PO₄ and NaOH. Characterization and analysis process are consists of water content, ash content, bulk density, adsorption capacity, iodine number and indoor air filtering analysis. Treated activated carbon potential in achieving higher surface area of the structure to the range of 950 to 1150 m²/g for gas phase application. The higher surface area will adsorb more air pollution. Maintained properties of activated carbon such as hardness, density, pore, extractable ash, particle size (12 by 40 mesh) and pH are becoming the main concern in achieving high quality of activated carbon.