Effect of Microwave Heating Variables on Nitrogen-Enriched Palm Shell Activated Carbon toward Efficient Hydrogen Sulfide Removal

This research work is focuses on understanding the characteristics of modified nitrogen-enriched palm shell activated carbon (N-PSAC) that undergo different microwave (MW) operating parameters towards efficient H₂S removal. The nitrogen functional groups were tailored onto PSAC micropore structures through impregnation of urea onto palm shell activated carbon (PSAC). The effect of MW heating variables (heating temperature, N₂ flow rate, heating time and amount of adsorbent) on N-PSAC adsorbent was investigated and analyzed with respect to H₂S adsorption capacity. One factor at a time (OFAT) approach was used to produce an efficient N-PSAC adsorbent, where the H₂S breakthrough capacity (measured at 5% of H₂S outlet concentration) attained was in the range of 98.71 – 211.35 mg/g. It was found that MW heating variables contribute a significant impact to the modification of N-PSAC adsorbent in catering the H₂S emission.