Afrane G, Achaw Osei-Wusu
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana.
Bioresour Technol. 2008 Sep;99(14):6678-82. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.11.071. Epub 2008 Jan 14.
Coconut shells of West Africa Tall, a local variety of the coconut species Cocos nucifera L., were taken from five different geographical locations in Ghana and examined for the presence and concentration levels of some selected mineral elements using atomic absorption spectrometer. Activated carbons were subsequently made from the shells by the physical method. The iodine adsorption characteristics of the activated carbons measured showed a definite relationship to the concentration levels of potassium and other mineral elements in the precursor shell. Samples with lower total minerals content recorded higher iodine numbers. It was observed that the origin of the shells was related to the concentration levels of the analyzed mineral elements in the shells, which in turn affected the adsorption capacity of the activated carbons. The results of this study have important implications for the sourcing of coconuts whose shells are used in the manufacture of activated carbons.
西非高种椰子是椰子属（Cocos nucifera L.）的一个本地品种，其椰壳取自加纳五个不同的地理位置，并使用原子吸收光谱仪检测了一些选定矿物元素的存在情况和浓度水平。随后通过物理方法由这些椰壳制成活性炭。所测活性炭的碘吸附特性与前体椰壳中钾及其他矿物元素的浓度水平存在明确关系。总矿物质含量较低的样品碘值较高。据观察，椰壳的来源与壳中分析的矿物元素浓度水平有关，而这又反过来影响活性炭的吸附能力。本研究结果对于用于制造活性炭的椰壳来源具有重要意义。
