Influence of Source and Treatment Method on the Properties of Activated Carbons Produced from Sewage Sludge

摘要

This paper reports an investigation into the effects of the geographical origins of sludge and the treatment methods applied to it on its properties as a feedstock for producing activated carbons. The approach taken firstly utilises a response surface methodology (RSM) to model the relationship between the activation conditions and the textural characteristics of the carbons produced from two different UK sludges. Subsequently, the optimal conditions obtained were employed to prepare activated carbons from a range of French and Polish sludges. The activated carbons generated have been characterised in terms of their textural characteristics, chemical composition and their surface chemistry.