Production of Activated Carbon from Balanites aegyptiaca Seeds and its Application in Gold Recovery Process.

Abstract

Activated carbon was produced from the seed’s shell of Balanites aegyptiaca and successfully applied in gold extraction process. The optimum condition of carbonization of the dries Balanites aegyptiaca seed’s stone was heating at 400 Co for 15 minutes in oxygen free atmosphere. Characterization of the produced activated carbon was done using SEM where the surface morphology, pore size and shape were indicated. Also adsorption characteristics was investigated via iodine number estimation and BET isotherm, where the pore distribution, adsorption capacity and specific surface area were determined. The produced activated carbon was used in gold striping process and its gold recovery capacity was found to exceed 9