Abstract: Using steam as activating agent, high-quality activated carbon from rubber-seed charcoal was prepared. Results of orthogonal test indicated the influences of activating temperature, activating time and flow rate of steam.The optimum activation conditions for rubber-seed shell activated carbon were as follows:activating temperature 880℃, activating time 40 min, steam flow rate 8 kg/h. Under these conditions, high-class rubber-seed shell activated carbon could be obtained, with decolorization of 240 mg/g, toward 0.15% methylene blue, iodine adsorption of 1 113 mg/g, strength of 94.2%, and yield of 40.5%.

Key words: activated carbon, rubber-seed shell, steam method