Common reed (Fragmites australis), a local invasive grass, was investigated as a possible feedstock for the production of activated carbon. Dried crushed stems were subjected to impregnation with phosphoric acid (30, 40 and 50%) followed by pyrolysis at 400~500℃ with final washing and drying. Obtained carbons were characterized by determining: carbon yield, ash content, slurry pH, textural properties and capacity to remove color bodies from factory-grade sugar liquor. Produced carbons possessed surface area up to 700 m2/g, total pore volumes up to 0.37 cm3/g, and proved to be microporous in nature. Decolorization of hot sugar liquor at 80℃ showed degrees of color removal of 60 up to 77% from initial color of 1100~1300 ICU, at a carbon dose of 1.0 g/100 ml liquor. No correlation seems to hold between synthesis conditions and % R but depends on the degree of microporosity. A commercial activated carbon N showed a comparative better color removal capacity of 91%. Common reed proved to be a viable carbon precursor for production of good adsorbing carbon suitable for decolorization in the sugar industry, as well as in other environmental remediation processes.

• Ibrahim D-Abdullah(Sugar and Integrated Industries)
• Badie S. Girgis(National Research Dokki)
• Yassin M. Tmerek(Faculty of Science, Assiut University)
• Elsaid H. Badawy(Delta Sugar Company)