| Activation of oilsands fluid coke by using sulphur dioxide was studied. Among the activation parameters, e.g., temperature, time, concentration, temperature is the most important. Specific surface area, as high as 360 m2/g compared to 7.5 m2/g of raw coke, was obtained after activation at 700°C for 12 h followed by acid washing.; The mechanism of activation was studied by the SEM images and EDS analysis. Sulphur was found deposited on the newly created surface, resulting in high sulphur content (∼20% wt). The carbon and sulphur containing surface groups were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.; The adsorptive behaviours of activated coke and commercial activated carbon were compared. The adsorption capacities of activated coke for iodine, methylene blue, and mercuric ion are 330, 51 and 10.7 mg/g respectively. Besides surface area, porous structure and surface groups were found important as well. |
