Removal of Hardness from Water and Characterization of Activated Carbon Made from Peach Pit

Abstract

In the present study, the influence of temperature and activating agents in the production of activated carbon from peach pits was evaluated to determine the most effective removal of water hardness. To obtain experimental data, activation was carried out using a 1:1 ratio of KOH, H₃PO₄, ZnCl₂, and H₂SO₄ at temperatures of 400°C, 500°C, and 600°C. The results indicate that the highest preparation yield was achieved with carbon activated by H₃PO₄ at 400°C, resulting in a 47% yield. In all activation cases, the surface acidity, determined by Boehm titration, exceeded the basic character. The predominant acidic character was obtained with ZnCl₂ at 500°C, reaching 62.08 mol%; acid character analyses were supported by zero-charge point pH analysis. The best iodine index analysis results were 797.22 mg/g and 747.72 mg/g, obtained with ZnCl₂ at 400°C and 600°C, respectively. The activated carbon with ZnCl₂ at 400°C demonstrated an efficiency of 66.88 % in removing water hardness, representing the highest removal compared to other activated carbons.